"Africa" My Mother Land

Africa is known for its vast culture based on their mode of dressing, religious practice, face painting, rites of passage, foods, music, and languages. All African communities have their unique way of dressing, which differentiates one community from another. They also have different items of clothing for every occasion such as childbirth, weddings, and burials. Elderly people dress different from youths while mothers dress differently from young ladies. Dressing in African culture portrays levels of seniority in the community as well as status.

Face painting is often associated with rites of passage. For instance, the Kipsigis and Luhya tribes found in Kenya paint their entire body during circumcision rites.  The Maa community (Maasai) paint their face during their traditional wedding ceremony. Additionally, the Himba people of Namibia cover their body with a mixture of milk fat and red soil, which makes the skin reddish. This beauty mixture is considered a beauty cosmetic. Due to scarcity of water in the Namibia desert, the Himba use wood ash to clean their hair.

           

        Manhood initiation Ceremony among the Luhya

          

                  A Himba Girl 

              

Music in Africa is critical as songs are sung during farming, wedding, burial, childbirth, circumcision, and used to make the child sleep. Drums are employed often during the singing as well as thumb piano and rattles made from dried seeds. African indeed is a melting pot of cultures. The beauty in diversity is immeasurable and it is our duty to explore and enjoy these beauties.  

      

African Diversity In Pictures