MUNDURUCU
Central Africa is home to many peoples, including the Azande, Luba and Mangbetu, each with their own languages and traditions. Their body arts range from painted designs and tattoos to raised scars, jewellery and elaborate hairstyles.
Scarification creates a pattern in healed skin. Rows of small marks, curved lines or larger shapes could express beauty, maturity or belonging. Some techniques added pigment to the cuts, combining a dark design with the texture of a scar.
Among Luba communities, hairstyles and scars also appeared on carved figures. Mangbetu artists gave pottery carefully shaped heads, hair and body markings. Designs worn by people could become part of the objects around them.
Azande portraits show distinctive head ornaments, clothing and facial markings. There was no single Central African look: people developed different ways to make the body recognisable, beautiful or impressive, using materials and skills passed between generations.