Body Adornment Collection

Almost every Himba woman wears anklets. They comprise strands of homemade metal beads threaded onto leather. Women cover their bodies in red ochre mixed with butterfat

A Japanese Tattooed Man, c.1880 (hand coloured photograph)
1766822 A Japanese Tattooed Man, c.1880 (hand coloured photograph); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Japanese Tattooed Man. Anonymous)

Portrait of an Arab Man, (watercolour with gum arabic over pencil)
827355 Portrait of an Arab Man, (watercolour with gum arabic over pencil) by Bartolini, Filipo or Frederico (19th century); 34.5x25.4 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Portrait of an Arab Man)

Aoua, Femme Banda, c. 1925 (oil on canvas)
1195911 Aoua, Femme Banda, c. 1925 (oil on canvas) by Iacovleff, Alexandre (1887-1938); 64.8x46.4 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; Russian, out of copyright

A Himba woman in traditional attire. Her body gleams from a mixture of red ochre, butterfat and herbs. Her long hair is styled in the traditional Himba way

A Pokomo drummer from the Tana River district of Kenya

A Msai warrior with his long braids and body coated with red ochre mixed with animal fat. He has put ochre dust round his eyes to enhance his appearance ready for a dance

An elder of the Karo tribe rests with his head on his wooden head-rest which protects his elaborate clay hairdo. Every man carries a headrest which doubles as a stool

Two Mursi men with singular hairstyles play a game of bau as a young boy watches them. Most men possess rifles to protect their families from hostile neighbours

A Mursi woman wearing a large clay lip plate. Shortly before marriage, a girls lower lip will be pierced and progressively stretched over a year or so

A back view of a Msai warrior resplendent with long ochred braids tied in a pigtail. This singular hairstyle sets him apart from other members of his society

A woman of the Mursi tribe. Once married Mursi women pierce their lower lip and stretch it by inserting increasingly large plugs until they can wear a clay lip plate

Close-Up Of Womans Feet With Henna Tattoo

Detail of a Msai warriors ear ornaments and other beaded or metal adornments. The Msai practice of piercing ears in adolescence and gradually elongating the lobes is gradually dying out

Nyangatom men their faces and bodies with stylised patterns using natural pigments obtained from chalk, ochre and crushed rock prior to a dance

The men hold hands forming a circle within which the women dance in the Karo village of Duss. A small Omotic tribe related to the Hamar

Men and women dance together in the Karo village of Duss. A small Omotic tribe related to the Hamar, the Karo live along the banks of the Omo River in southwestern Ethiopia

Up to a year before his circumcision, a Samburu boy will style his hair in a distinctive pudding bowl shape and often rub charcoal and fat into it

Msai warriors draw water from a deep well. The depth of wells is measured by the number of men required to bring water to the cattle troughs at the top of them

A Msai warrior blows a trumpet fashioned from the horn of a Greater Kudu. The strap is decorated with cowrie shells. Kudu-horn trumpets are only sounded to call men to arms or on ceremonial occasions

A Msai warrior, his face and body decorated with red ochre and clay, wears an ostrich feather headdress. This singular adornment was once worn by warriors going into battle

A young Samburu man leads a donkey carrying the basic structure of a temporary home. The curved sticks will be tied together in a dome and covered with hides

A Karo man with braided hair plays a traditional stringed instrument beside the Omo River near Duss. Young men settle disputes by fighting with hippo hide whips

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"Exploring the Art of Body Adornment: A Journey Across Cultures" From the vibrant ochre-painted faces of young Msai girls to the anklets adorning almost every Himba woman, it has long been a cherished tradition. Delve into history as you gaze at "The Queen's Sister, Rana, " captured in an intriguing black and white photograph from c. 1870-99. Immerse yourself in diverse art forms with "Portrait of an Arab Man, " a stunning watercolor masterpiece enhanced with gum arabic over pencil. Marvel at "Aoua, Femme Banda, " a captivating oil painting from 1925 that showcases the beauty and grace of its subject. Witness the pride and heritage reflected in the attire of a Himba woman, her traditional garments speaking volumes about her culture's rich traditions. Encounter a fierce Msai warrior, his long braids swaying as he moves, his body coated in symbols that tell stories untold. Resting peacefully is an elder from the Karo tribe; observe how his head rests on wisdom earned through years of experience. Be captivated by a Mursi woman wearing an impressive clay lip plate - an emblematic symbol within her community. Step into another realm where theatricality meets body adornment - two female actors donning cat makeup exude mystery and allure in timeless black and white imagery. Witness Islander men dressed ceremonially, their traditional garb weaving tales passed down through generations. Finally, be awestruck by a male performer sporting an elaborate shark headdress outdoors - embodying strength and power while honoring ancient customs. Through these glimpses into different cultures' practices of body adornment, we discover not only their aesthetic appeal but also their significance as expressions of identity, heritage, spirituality, and storytelling across time and space.