Red Ochre Collection (page 2)

A Msai Warrior watches a hot air balloon float over the Mara plains

Msai warriors draw water from a deep well. The depth of wells is measured by the number of men required to bring water to the cattle troughs at the top of them

A Msai warrior blows a trumpet fashioned from the horn of a Greater Kudu. The strap is decorated with cowrie shells. Kudu-horn trumpets are only sounded to call men to arms or on ceremonial occasions

A Msai warrior, his face and body decorated with red ochre and clay, wears an ostrich feather headdress. This singular adornment was once worn by warriors going into battle

Kenya, Kajiado, lpartimaro. Two Msai warriors in full regalia. The headress of the man on the left is made from the mane of a lion while the one on the right is fringed with black ostrich feathers

Samburu warriors, spears in hand, jump into the air without bending their knees during one of their dance routines

A month after a Samburu youth has been circumcised, he becomes a warrior. He will go to the nearest stream or Waterhole to wash off a months grime

A Samburu warrior has his Ochred hair braided by a friend. A mixture of cows urine and ashes is often rubbed into the hair first to help straighten it

A Hamar woman blows a tin trumpet at a Jumping of the Bull ceremony. The Hamar are semi-nomadic pastoralists of Southwest Ethiopia whose women wear striking traditional dress

Hamar women dance, sing and blow small tin trumpets during a Jumping of the Bull ceremony. The semi-nomadic Hamar of Southwest Ethiopia embrace an age-grade system that includes several rites of

Assisted by her husband, a Hamar woman draws water from a deep well to give to her familys herds.; The Hamar of Southwest Ethiopia are semi-nomadic pastoralists whose whole way of life is based

A Hamar mother and child moving home. The mother carries all her possessions with her including sleeping mats and gourds.The Hamar of Southwest Ethiopia are semi-nomadic pastoralists whose whole way

A Hamar woman is left with bloody wheals, which were inflicted during a Hamar Jumping of the Bull ceremony when female friends

Abstract pre-Columbian rock painting C013 / 5026
Abstract pre-Columbian rock painting. The pre-Columbian era refers to all civilisations in the Americas prior to the conquests or declines that followed contact being made between the New World

Girl at a refugee camp, Uganda
MODEL RELEASED. Girl at a refugee camp in a rural region of Gulu, Uganda. Northern Uganda is the site of an armed rebellion by the Lords Resistance Army

Red ochre cliffs above the Sentier des Ocres, Roussillon, Vaucluse, Provence, France, Europe

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"Red Ochre: A Symbol of Tradition and Culture" In the vast African landscape, red ochre holds a deep significance for various tribes and communities, and is more than just a pigment; it represents tradition, identity, and celebration. A Himba woman in traditional attire catches our attention as her body gleams with a mixture of red ochre. This natural dye not only adorns her skin but also symbolizes her connection to ancestral customs that have been passed down through generations. The Pokot tribe, pastoralists speaking a Southern language, showcase their vibrant culture during an Atelo ceremony. A Pokot warrior wearing a cheetah skin jumps high in the air surrounded by young women, all adorned with red ochre. Their energetic dance pays homage to their heritage while celebrating unity and strength. Among the Pokot people, even young girls proudly display their uninitiated status through traditional accessories like broad necklaces made of hollow reed grass. These adornments serve as markers of identity within their community. Similarly, unmarried Pokot girls wear ornaments that signify their single status. With each piece carefully crafted and infused with red ochre symbolism, these decorations become visual representations of love stories yet to unfold. Delving into history reveals ancient cave paintings where red ochre played a vital role in artistic expression. The dancers depicted in Cogul's cave painting from Roca de los Moros captivate us with their vivid hues created using this timeless pigment. Moving forward across time and continents brings us to San rock paintings found in South Africa's Drakensberg Mountains or the Chauvet Cave masterpiece dating back thousands of years ago, used by these early artists to bring life to their creations—depicting scenes from daily life or spiritual beliefs onto stone canvases. Even beyond Africa's borders lies evidence of humanity's fascination with this earthy hue—a Bohemian scent bottle from 1830, showcasing the versatility in art and craftsmanship.