It might also indicated that the wearer was a powerful warrior who had proved himself in battle. вЂњThe red color symbolizes war, blood, strength, energy, power and success in war paint but might also symbolize happiness and beauty in face paintД«lack was perceived as a вЂњlivingвЂќ color and worn on the face to prepare for war. One site called does give an interesting list of the possible meanings of the colors SmithвЂ™s natives were wearing: In fact, come even had permanent tattoos which indicated their tribal allegiance. Historical evidence for the exact reasons these men and women painted themselves is not easily found however, there are many websites which talk about the fact that Native Americans across the region painted themselves. The men tattooed their bodies with all sorts of figures and designs. The paint came from berries, root juice, charcoal, and soot (dirt or ashes). This picture and the following video give us some ideas about the natives Smith encountered: So, what about the paint?В The Algonquin Indians greased their hair and often painted their bodies for war and celebrations. The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail site offers a great deal of interesting information about these people and their daily lives, including pictures of their described appearances. It is estimated that there were more than 50,000 Native Americans living in the region at the time that the first European settlers arrived.

These people lived in communities of 50 to 200 people along the Chesapeake Bay region. None were more important than those known as the Powhatan tribes. This link leads to a historical map of the journeys Smith took in this region: Along the way, Smith met several groups of Native Americans. When Smith and his traveling companions came to the New World, they settled in the Chesapeake Bay Area. I decided I would like to know more about the particular tribes Smith came into contact with and the practices of body painting within these tribes. At one point, he wonders whether they are preparing to kill him, yet at each turn, the natives are more likely to feed this strange white man than to do him harm. Also, it is curious to notice that Smith is unsure of the purpose of any of these rituals. Smith described the natives at one point as вЂњdancing.singing and yelling out such hellish notes and screeches being strangely painted, every one.вЂќ At another occasion, three of the men danced around a fire, their faces painted вЂњsuch like devilsвЂ¦painted halfe blacke, half red: but all their eyes were painted white, and some red stroakesвЂ¦ along their cheeks.вЂќ All of the descriptions of the Native AmericansвЂ™ body painting show them to use the colors red, white, and black for their art. 'At the end of the day, without hope, you have nothing.As I re-read the selections written by Captain John Smith for this semester, I was interested in his descriptions of the natives and their painted appearances. Still, Nanjala was optimistic that genital cutting would be eventually wiped out.

You will keep quiet and you will not report it - if you do, you face reprisal.'

'You will find the practice is something highly valued. 'We face a myriad of challenges,' said Christine Nanjala, who heads the prosecuting unit. Officials are optimistic they can force a change in attitude but still worry that the practice is too ingrained for legal threats to have an impact. It set up a prosecution unit in March and is currently investigating 50 cases. Kenyan law provides for life imprisonment when a girl dies from the procedure, which in addition to excruciating pain, can cause haemorrhage, shock and complications in childbirth. The U.N.'s Children's Fund, UNICEF, says more than 125 million women have been cut in the 29 countries in Africa and the Middle East where genital mutilation is carried out. Rampant: More than a quarter of women in Kenya have been circumcised, despite the government making the practice illegal in 2011ДЄt its most extreme, circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation, involves cutting off the clitoris and external genitalia, then stitching the vagina to reduce a woman's sexual desire.ДЄnything from razor blades to broken glass and scissors is used.

Japanese woman in tribal body paint