2.3 Body adornment  (Page 2/2)

The application of henna is a traditional way of enhancing beauty in the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. Henna is a natural reddish-brown powder, which can be formed into a paste and can then be painted on hands and feet, forming beautiful designs and patterns.

The use of henna originated in Egypt and the Middle East in ancient times, even before the spread of Islam. It was a cultural activity and did not have a religious function. During the 12th century it spread to India and was traditionally used to beautify a bride before her wedding. Today women in the Middle East and India often wear it to weddings or on other important festivals like Diwale, the Hindu New Year. Often however, women simply wear henna to make a fashion statement.

Henna is a natural red powder, which can be found in grocery shops that specialise in food from the Middle East and India. The powder is then made into a paste by adding tea, lemon juice or oil. When this is painted on the skin, it stains it for approximately four weeks. It can be applied with a paintbrush, tooth pick or cotton bud. When the henna is dry it can be pulled off.

Body painting is still used by various tribes during rituals and ceremonies today. It is seen in its more “civilised” form every day as make-up.

Tattooing is an extension of body painting, but it is permanent. The word was formed from the Tahitian word, 'tatau', which means to mark. Examples of this were found on Egyptian and Nubian mummies as early as 2000 B.C. Classical writers often refer to tattooing during the Greek and Roman periods. During these periods slaves and criminals were tattooed, but this was forbidden with the start of Christianity in Europe. In the Middle East and other parts of the world it was still used.

Tattooing is a worldwide phenomenon - from the Indian tribes in America, the Eskimos, the Polynesians, Malaysians, the Maoris in New Zealand, the Japanese to some Africans. The different groups use different techniques. The Indians and Eskimos use simple pierce marks whereas the Ibo tribe in Nigeria make incisions with a knife and add coloured pigmentation. (The tattoos on the pop singer Seal is an example of this.)

Tattooing was rediscovered by explorers during their expeditions and this paved the way for tattoo parlours in Europe and America where sailors went for special designs. The first electrical implement for tattooing was patented in America in 1891. During the 18th century freed American criminals and British army deserters were identified by their tattoos. Later prisoners in Siberian jails and Nazi concentration camps were identified in the same way. In the 20th century street gangs and motorcycle gangs also identified themselves in this manner. There was a short-lived trend during the 19th century when the high society of England tattooed themselves. Since the 1990's tattooing has become very popular again and has once again become a form of body adornment for several cultures. In some countries tattooing has been banned after it was found that an infected needle could spread AIDS. In the Old Testament the Israelis were warned against tattooing. Mohammed forbade it in 787 A.C. and the Roman Catholic Church damned it.

Body painting and the use of “stick-on” tattoos are very popular amongst certain teenagers, as it is temporary and can easily be changed.

Tattooing is seldom found amongst the dark-skinned people of sub-Saharan Africa and Australia. They prefer decorative scarification. It is very similar to tattooing as colouring is often used. When this is done it looks as if the person has a swollen tattoo as it leaves a raised pattern on the skin. This is a very long and painful process that pubescent African girls undergo. On reaching puberty the girl is ready to get married and the patterns are supposed to make the girl more attractive to men. The men find the patterns attractive to look at and enjoy touching them. The patterns are also an indication that the woman will be able to endure the pains of childbirth.

In ancient times body adornment literally branded slaves as the possession of their masters. Late in the 19th century it was still used in Europe to identify criminals.

This art form is believed not only to have magical powers for rituals, but apparently also possesses healing powers. Various forms are found in Africa, for example the stretching of lips and ears, the sharpening of teeth and the flattening of the skull.

In some African cultures body adornment, combined with music, serve as a form of non-verbal communication. In this manner a woman from West Africa can send her husband, family or friends a message by wearing specific headgear, jewellery or a particular hairstyle.

Be original when creating your design!

Assessment