It is symbolic with blood in secret ceremonies. The Australian Aborigines have the widespread belief that ochre paint has magical powers and is held in regard as being sacred. In some occasions there was a strcit ritualistic order for applying the make up. Clay of different hues were also used on their own. These natural raw materials were ground and made into a paste and mixed with clay powders. Roots, berries and tree barks were most commonly used to make the dyes for face painting.

The first instances of the use of painting materials (ochre, manganese dioxide) by human ancestors predates the first cave paintings by tens or possibly hundred of thousands of the years,and some scholars suggest that the painting materials were used by human ancestors for painting their own bodies.

Not only is the body art used to augment one’s appearance and power, it is a sacred social act of distinction which characterises their tribe and cultural heritage. This can still be witnessed in tribal ceremonies in Africa and New Guinea. Sometimes the whole tribe used similar decorative appearances which eliminated differences and contributed to tribal bonding.

Shamans also used face art in conquering their notion of limited self to assist them in embracing higher forces. This state was crucial for the physical survival of the hominids in order to defend themselves from predators after they shifted from the relatively safety of trees to the more dangerous ground dwellings.

In this state tribe members sacrificed their individuality and assumed a shared collective identity, where they were able to transcend their feelings of fear and pain and were fully dedicated to the group interests. It was suggested by Joseph Jordania that body painting, together with dancing, loud group singing, rhythmic stomping and drumming on external objects, contributed to reaching a specific altered state of consciousness and a battle trance through these ritualized activities. Depending on the occasion, face painting was used as a beautifying practice or could be adapted to be terrifying for hunting and tribal battles. For many ancient tribes and cultures, face and body art has been an integral part of their rituals, festivals and displays of heirarchy.

Fesival tribal body paint