Natural Fashion: Tribal Decoration from Africa
While investigating online about the inventive re-use of materials, I ran across some images that wowed me. Let’s take a visit to where the borders of Ethiopia, Kenya and Sudan meet.
This is where the nomadic Surma and Mursi tribes of the Omo Valley express their artistic sense with skin pigments and found flora and fauna embellishments. As the naturally-made pigments dry quickly, rapid application spawns spontaneous self-expression. I love the result.
Respective of copyright issues, I’m not reproducing any of the many images here except as seen on the book cover. Here is a link toward purchasing the book Natural Fashion: Tribal Decoration from Africa or you may find it in a library. The images by photographer Hans Silvester are striking. The book includes 160 images he gathered from several trips.
To get a fuller sense of the artistry, I do encourage you to connect to Youtube (below) where a number of video makers have montaged many of the images. The accompanying music is his/her addition.
Let me know what you think.
Nancy R. Peck
Nancy R. Peck has 30+ years experience as a volunteer primarily in the fields of civic beautification, preservation, community outreach and enrichment.
Garden Club Salon 