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Plains warriors painted their faces with protective colors and patterns before engaging the enemy this is where the term ‘war paint’ originated. For the individual, “a kaleidoscope of paint colors and designs held special meanings, portraying secret mystical messages or visions.” (Palmer, 2006)įace and body paint was an essential component in Plains culture.

Several of the colors have universal meaning, yet variations are common tribally, as well as individually. They have undergone a new birth, and with this they have new responsibilities, new obligations, and a new relationship.” (Brown, 1953)Īmong the various tribal Nations, specific colors were used symbolically. (Zedeno, 2008) As Nicholas Black Elk, an Oglala holy man stated “By being painted, the people have been changed. (Zedeno, 2008) When paint was applied to an object it became a person, and likewise, paint applied to a person transformed that person with a gift of extraordinary characteristics and powers, such as courage, strength, stealth, health, etc. The common link between nearly all Native American tribes was the brotherhood with nature, the earth, and animals, and the belief that the natural materials used in making the paint also had the ability to impart animating powers to the paint, which would then be conveyed to the recipient. ( Lewis, 2009) Colored paints were used for decoration and ornamentation, but most importantly for spiritual power, and “at times constituting a prayer to a super natural being.” (Densmore, 2006) The design and color of face paint was an individual choice, chosen to “harmonize with the individual’s attire, purpose, dreams, or visions.” (Densmore, 2006) Face paint was also used to intimidate an adversary, such as when Tecumseh and his warriors met with William Henry Harrison, the warriors were all wearing war face paint, which undoubtedly struck fear amongst the US soldiers who witnessed the event. Ceremonial paint was also used to hide ones identity, as well as to obtain power from the creature or spirit represented.

Native Americans commonly viewed face painting not only as an act of social distinction and cultural heritage, but as a significant aspect in cultural and spiritual ceremonies and rituals.

Therefore, by combining information from Native American websites with scholarly resources, my aim is to give a respectful and general description of traditional Native American face painting including the significance of colors, designs, and rituals, of a variety of Native American cultures such as California, Great Basin, Northwest and Northeast Coast, Southeast and Plains tribes. Furthermore, face painting traditional customs, colors, and designs, have either been passed down orally through storytelling, or have been documented by white explorers and journalists who may not have had the cultural sensitivity to fully understand and relay the authentic spiritual symbolism and meaning behind the various colors and designs. However, the amount of available scholarly information regarding ceremonial and cultural face painting is scarce. "It's the cause of much conflict," says Lewis, "because in order for a man to get married he must provide often quite a substantial head of cattle, and so he's in indentured labor to his father until the herd he's caring for is big enough." In societies that are cattle based, men tend to marry in their mid-forties, he adds, explaining that "there's always a backlog of women who are available but unable to marry" because men of a similar age have not yet raised the required bridalwealth.For thousands of years, cultural groups from all over the world have participated in ceremonial face painting for a variety of reasons. There were reports in 1998 that Nelson Mandela (of Thembu lineage) paid the marital lobola of 60 cows to the family of new wife Graca Machel. The dowry comes in many forms, including money, but some choose cattle. Lobola is also referred to as "bridalwealth", with the prospective groom's family negotiating with the bride's for her hand in marriage. Bantu-speaking tribes, lobola – A feature of marital affairs for many Bantu-speaking tribes in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Swaziland, lobola is practiced by, among others, Zulus (pictured).