Surma Child with Beaded Necklace, Ethiopia
No matter how young, Surma children love to be decorated with vibrantly colored face paint. Their colorful bead necklaces are received in the first years of life. Continue reading
Surma Children Painted as Twins, Ethiopia
Reflecting their bond of friendship, Surma children like to paint themselves as identical twins. In addition, their heads will often be shaved in designs that complement the painted motifs. Continue reading
Two Surma Children Painted White and Red, Ethiopia
The two main materials used for body painting are ground chalk and ground iron ore (ocher pigment). These provide the characteristic color-themes of white and red, for more unusual hues, rarer mineral ores are sought. Continue reading
Surma Girl Having Face Painted, Ethiopia
As adolescence approaches, a Surma girl has a decorative plug fitted into her earlobe. Initially the ear is pierced with a thorn, and the hole progressively stretched until a full-size ceramic earplug can be inserted. Continue reading
Surma Girl with Lacy Face Paint, Ethiopia
In contrast to the linear boldness of much Surma body painting, some designs are delicate and lacy. Created to complement a young girl’s fragile beauty, these designs are often set off by subtle patterns shaved into the hair. Continue reading
Surma Woman with Painted Eye-Mask, Ethiopia
Surma face painting can be dramatic, almost theatrical. Combined with her strikingly large earplugs, this woman’s painted eye-mask completely transforms her appearance. Continue reading
Surma Man Painting Woman, Ethiopia
Sometimes a man will offer to paint the girl to whom he is attracted.this provides an excellent opportunity not only to perfect his painting technique, but also to get to know the woman of his desire. Continue reading
Surma Man with Painted Body, Ethiopia
Believed to be a nilo-hamitic people, the Surma are one of a group of pastoralists living in Ethiopia. They are renowned for their tall, beautifully formed physiques. Continue reading
Surma Girls with Painted Faces, Ethiopia
During courtship season young girls scrutinize the painted men, fascinated by the different designs on each man’s body. Continue reading
Two Surma Children Watching, Ethiopia
A time for ceremonies, the festive season is also one of leisure, during which children sit for hours and watch, fascinated by the activities of the body painters. Continue reading