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10 Stunning Aesthetic Practices From African Tribes

10 Stunning Aesthetic Practices From African Tribes

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As you struggle with your 10 hair appliances and bursting cabinets of skin products, you may take comfort in knowing that your elaborate vanity rituals have their roots in ancient tribal traditions. Tribe members in Africa have their own vanity rituals. Here are 10 stunning aesthetic practices from African tribes that you won’t believe are real.

Wikipedia.org
Wikipedia.org

Dogon mask

The Dogon people who live in Mali are known for mask dances and ceremonial masks that denote the status or rank of the wearer. The masks have become so well known that the Dogons charge tourists money based on what mask they’d like to see.

Source: Crystalinks.com 

Wikipedia.org
Wikipedia.org

Mursi mouth jewelry

The Mursi live in Southwestern Ethiopia. The Mursi people pierce their lips and then stretch them by wearing larger and larger lip rings. The rings denote rites of passage, rank, and phases of life.

Source: Sim.org 

beautifulafricanart.com
beautifulafricanart.com

Lwena red mask

The Lwena people, who settle in villages in the Democratic Republic of Congo, are known for masks that are also works of art. This mask is made of cloth, wood and vegetable fibers.

Source: Beautifulafricanart.com 

Wikipedia.org
Wikipedia.org

King Mbundu

This is one of the kings of the Mbunda Kingdom, which was located in what is today Southeast Angola. Hunters bring animal tusks and skins back to their king, who wears them often, especially during ceremonies. Pictured here is a coronation.

Source: Britannica.com

Pbworks.com
Pbworks.com

Ashanti chief

The Ashanti are known for being extremely fierce fighters, and that is reflected in their chief’s attire. The Ashanti believe that animals and parts of nature have supernatural powers, and wear a lot of animal parts like this feather headdress to hold those powers.

Source: Pbworks.com

wikimedia.org
wikimedia.org

Kuosi elephant mask

In the Bamileke tribe, the Kuosi Society report to the king. Several ranks wear elephant masks during their elaborate masquerades. These are usually paired with feather headdresses and are made of beads and cloth.

Source: Kwekudee-tripdownmemorylane.blogspot.com 

Notwithoutmylipstick.com
Notwithoutmylipstick.com

 

Wodaabe clay masks

The Wodaabe men cover their faces in bright orange clay, thick black eyeliner and black lipstick, and stick ostrich plumes in their hair. This is essentially a rain dance right before the rains that end the Saharan dry season. Also as part of this ritual, the men line up and do mating dances, tricks and acts to attract a mate.

Source: Culturalsurvival.org 

Wikipedia.org
Wikipedia.org

Kikuyu

This is the largest ethnic group in Kenya. Their traditional garbs include enormous shields made from animal skin and fur, elaborate headdresses, and intricate facial makeup for various religious, ranking or battle purposes.

Source: Kwekudee-tripdownmemorylane.blogspot.com

Wikipedia.org
Wikipedia.org

 

Nuba tribe

The Nuba people live in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan, in villages made up of family compounds and tents where unmarried men sleep. The Nubas are, some would say, obsessed with physical excellence. The men often spend hours painting their bodies and faces.

Source: Raceandhistory.com

Pinterest.com
Pinterest.com

Tribal scarring

In several African tribes, the climate calls for almost no clothing to withstand the heat. To denote rank, marital status and other aspects of a person, some tribe members turned to body scarification.

Source: Ezakwantu.com