Creative Writing|| Art and culture by @fonjougiresse

Hello to everyone, I hope everybody is doing well in our community. Today I will like to talk about art in culture, not only in our culture but also in other foreign cultures. As we know here in Africa, particularly in Cameroon we have diverse cultures and traditions, but what I will emphasize is body painting.

Body painting is an old art performed by our ancestors, years before where motifs and drawings are performed directly on the body. It is different from tattoos where body painting is temporary (lasting several hours to weeks). It should be known that painting performed only on the face is called face painting and when extended to all the body is called body painting.

[Source]https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-face-paint-makeup-beauty-6047776/

Bodypainting is paint applied on the whole body (just an extension of face paint covering the body).

Face paint

Body paint

Practical use of body painting

Body art is important in these ancient cultures because it is part of the social and spiritual life of these people. Make-up was worn during ceremonies celebrating important stages in their lives, such as dowry, funerals, coming of age.
Bodypainting also reflects someone’s social position within a group. It can be the origin, status, power, experiences like chiefs and Fons. In some beliefs, it was used to worship gods, it can show bravery and beauty, to some extend be a symbol of fertility.
Another way on how it is used is during wars by military forces to camouflage (hide) in nature. Also, it is used for advertisement and promotional work, I’ll take an example. MTN Cameroon during an event (university games for example) uses body painting to promote their services and product.

We express our emotions and feelings while performing this art.

Thank you for your kind attention.

Stay bless

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