Personal Adornment:

Characteristics:

• The body can be transformed in both temporary and permanent ways: painted, tattooed, scarified and marked in a variety of ways.
• The adornment of the body indicates status, personal and group identity.
• Often done to beautify, complement, and enhance the body, sometimes for spiritual empowerment.

• Nuba peoples are found in southern Sudan and are hunters.
• Painting primarily done with yellow and red ochre but white and black are also used.
• Practiced by men and colors and designs reflect membership in particular age grades and family.
• Designs inspired by nature and contain characteristics of local plants and animals.

.	Fulani Woman from  West Africa Elaborate gold earrings worn by women are an indication of wealth and status. They reflect the importance of gold in the trans-Saharan trade
	Kuba King Found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Regalia made from cowrie shells and different colored beads, feathers, raffia, leather, and iron bells.
	Hausa Royalty Found in northern Nigeria. Elaborately embroidered cape. White turban and clothing style demonstrate influence of Islamic designs from North Africa.
	Yoruba Ruler (Oba) Wears a beaded crown with beaded veil. Veil protects viewers from the power of the ruler. He holds a beaded staff of office. Birds on crown represent the mystical powers of women and the ruler's authority.

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This website was created and modified by Cynthia Becker, Bolaji Campbell and Janine Sytsma with Professor Henry Drewal. It was last modified August 31st, 2007.
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