Traditionally, the highly creative application of body paint has been used as a way for Aboriginal people to show important aspects of their lives, such as social status, familial group, tribe, ancestry, spirituality and geography.
Ochre is the traditional medium used by Aboriginals dating back 60,000 years.
Traditionally, materials used by Australian Aboriginal artists were sourced from the local environment. Rock, bark, wood and human skin were painted with pigments bound in material such as saliva, blood, plant gums and resins.
How did Aboriginal people produce rock art? Aboriginal people collected pigments for painting. The artists made red, purple and yellow pigments from ochre clays (which are rich in iron), and white pigment from kaolin clay.
Ochres are primarily natural pigments and minerals found in the soil, or even in charcoal. These natural pigments (colours) were originally used to depict Dreamtime stories and maps. They were used either in body painting, rock painting, on artefacts and sometimes even on sand.
Dots were used to in-fill designs. Dots were also useful to obscure certain information and associations that lay underneath the dotting. At this time, the Aboriginal artists were negotiating what aspects of stories were secret or sacred, and what aspect were in the public domain.
For centuries, tribal face painting has held a range of meanings, from camouflage whilst hunting to an artistic expression, and has been used in many corners of the world. Amazonian tribes believe that it is the human ability to alter ourselves into something else that inherently separates us from other animals.
Only an Aboriginal artist can produce Aboriginal art
It seems obvious, but Aboriginal art is only considered Aboriginal if painted by someone who is of that origin. A non-Indigenous Australian does not have the authority to paint an Aboriginal piece of artwork.
The painting of a man's face and body among the plains tribes during the buffalo days was said to be a form of mental conditioning. Warriors would paint themselves with personal protective designs and colors before they engaged in battle with an enemy. Hence the stereotypical term “war paint.”
These pioneers of western desert art relied on a range of basic colours, often gouache or water-based paints, using black, white, yellow, red and brown tones. These colours were the ones most like the ochre earth pigments that had been used for ceremonial painting and rock art for thousands of years.
Black represents the earth, marking the campfires of the dreamtime ancestors. Red represents fire, energy and blood - 'Djang', a power found in places of importance to the Aborigines. Yellow represents water, and the markings on the back of the great snake ancestor (see our last blog on the Rainbow Serpent Myths).
Animal fat is often mixed with paint so that they stay longer on the body because most ceremonies last for days. Such ceremonies involve storytelling, singing and dancing.
Within this, most language groups also adhere to a section or subsection system with four to eight 'skins' or 'skin names', skins being Aboriginal English for the sections/subsections. An individual gains a skin name upon birth based on, but not the same as, his or her father.
However, Dr Misty Jenkins, who leads the Division of Immunology lab at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne, said the ability to test DNA for Aboriginal genealogy does not exist.
Your Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage is something that is personal to you. You do not need a letter of confirmation to identify as an Indigenous Australian.
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage is voluntary and very personal. You don't need paperwork to identify as an Aboriginal person. However, you may be asked to provide confirmation when applying for Aboriginal-specific jobs, services or programs (for example grants).
Mimes painting the face white originated from stage shows dating back as far as 467 BC. This form of entertainment used gestures, mimics and dance, not words, to communicate and entertain. The purpose of the white face was to help the audience be able to see the performer from far away.
Native American Face Paint Colour Meaning
For example, RED stood for power, success, fighting and hunting prowess. Additionally, because hunting and victory in war were essential to the tribe's survival, they also stood for joy and beauty. Iron oxides, roots, berries, beets, and ochre were used to make red face paint.
Just as exterior paint is used to protect your home from weather, temperature, and external elements, interior paint is an effective way to protect walls, doors, and trim. Paint minimizes damage from moisture and can even help surfaces hold up longer from normal wear and tear.
Snakes are indigenous to all parts of Australia and feature strongly in the Creation stories held by Aboriginal people and in their paintings and carvings. The snake has been used as a symbol of strength, creativity and continuity since ancient times across many societies.
Children can be supported or encouraged to make their own symbol stones by painting Aboriginal symbols onto stones which can then be incorporate in their story telling. The use of Aboriginal symbols can also be used in the sandpit or on the ground where ever you are to visualize stories with children.
This allows us to better understand how health issues for Indigenous Australians might be the same as, or different to, other Australians.
They have gained recognition as a custodian of knowledge and lore. Age alone does not determine whether someone is recognised as an Elder in their community. Aboriginal people refer to an Elder as 'Aunty' or 'Uncle'.
Shame may be felt as a result of: • a lack of respect • embarrassment • self importance/self promotion • rudeness • a breach of accepted Aboriginal “norms” and/or taboos A shame job is an an event which causes a person shame or embarrassment.