20101203_115351 D3

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 01:44:40 -0500

Embera indians paint their body the the juice from the jagua plant. It keeps away evil spirits. Both men and women practice body painting with the jagua fruit. Some people cover nearly their full body. Even the lower half of the face covered from a line extending back from the corners of the mouth. Some designs are solid blocks of painting with small patches of skin left open to show contrast. Others are elaborate patterns drawn with delicate lines by artists with the thin tip of a bamboo stick. Each design has its own meaning and each age group and gender are assigned specific ones.