Personal Adornment: Characteristics:

The body can be transformed in both temporary and permanent ways: painted, tattooed, scarified and marked in a variety of ways.

The adornment of the body indicates status, personal and group identity. Often done to beautify, complement,

and enhance the body, sometimes for spiritual empowerment.

Nuba Body PaintingCharacteristics:

Nuba peoples are found in southern Sudan and are hunters. Painting primarily done with yellow and red ochre but white and black are also used.

Practiced by men and colors and designs reflect membership in particular age grades and family.

Designs inspired by nature and contain characteristics of local plants and animals.

Nuba man with painted face and hair

Nuba man with painted faceSouthern Sudan

Nuba man with painted bodySouthern Sudan

Nuba man with painted face and oiled body, southern Sudan

Ritual of Imori,Discerning the destinyYoruba Peoples,Nigeria

Priestess with paints on her fore head, Yoruba, Nigeria

Igbo titled chief with painted faceIgbo Peoples, Nigeria

Kuba KingFound in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Regalia made from cowrie shells and different colored beads, feathers, raffia, leather, and iron bells.

Kuba King in full ceremonial regalia, Kuba Peoples, Congo

Olowo of Owo inCeremonial regaliawith retainersOwo, Yoruba20th century

Hausa RoyaltyFound in northern Nigeria.

Elaborately embroidered cape. White turban and clothing style demonstrate

influence of Islamic designs from North Africa.

Hausa Royalty,Hausa, NigeriaCotton, velvet20th century

Yoruba Ruler (Oba)Wears a beaded crown with beaded veil.

Veil protects viewers from the power of the ruler. He holds a beaded staff of office.

Birds on crown represent the mystical powers of women and the ruler's authority.

Orangun of Ila,King of Ila with beaded crown with veils,Yoruba Nigeria

Fulani Woman from  West Africa

Elaborate gold earrings worn by women are an indication of wealth and status. They reflect the importance of gold in the trans-Saharan trade

Fulani woman with elaborateEarrings

Fulani woman with Elaborate earrings

Fulani men at Gerewol ceremony, Southern Niger, 20th century

Fulani women at the Gerewol ceremony, Southern Niger

Woman wearing silver jewelry,Harar, Somalia

Ndebele woman painting the façade of her home

Permanent Body Decorations

Nuba man with body decorationSouthern Sudan

Woman with facial marks,Kamo Village, Northern Nigeria20th century

Illustration of elaborate decoration on the body

Sacred Adornments and Body Decorations for Ritual Leaders:

Decorating the Hair

Divination Priest with beadsYoruba, Nigeria20th century

Sango Priest with braided hairYoruba, Nigeria20th century

Ilari-palace messengers,Oyo Nigeria20th century

Olowo in ritual performance with braided head, Owo Nigeria

Fulani woman with elaborate coiffureFuta Djallon Region,Guinea

Mangbetu woman with elaborate hairstyle, Okondo Village, Congo

Ejisuhene Nana Diko Pim III,Wearing the great Warrior shirt And Hat with amuletsPhoto: Doran H. Ross

Masai warriors, Kenya, 20th century