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The markings that the people make on their bodies are thought to have magical powers with which one could ward off evil spirits or the tribal enemies. Such was the thinking in past. The painting of bodies was also coined with celebrating of auspicious occasions like New Year or a dance party. Same practice can still observed in the indigenous populations of the countries like New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific Islands, and certain parts of Africa.
In India the women and men are fond of using Henna. It is a colour extracted from a plant of Henna; it is also known as Mehandi. This type of body painting with Henna has been a fashion in India and the Middle East since many years. People paint their hands and legs and other parts of body with Henna during auspicious ceremonies like weddings. The use of henna or Mehandi has become popular in the Western countries, too, since last two decades.
The art of body painting is not a new phenomenon in the countries of South America, too. People here have been using indigenous materials to paint their body and body parts. They use wet charcoal and other materials available in the local surrounding. In some parts of America, a material known as Huito is used to paint the bodies and faces. Huito is a black dye, and it takes weeks to fade away.
A Model participate in a 2008 World Body Painting Festival Asia at World Cup Stadium on August 29, 2008 in Daegu, South Korea. The "World Body painting Festival" is the largest Art event in the body painting theme and spreads the art form to thousands of interested visitors each year. Now the Festival is expanding with a vibrant and dedicated team in South Korea to host a second event. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images AsiaPac)
The World Body Painting Festival currently taking place in Daegu, South Korea is currently the largest art event in body painting, and you can see why.
Its goal is to spread the art of body painting to thousands interested in it. And, as you can see, body painting is truly an art. The work done takes hours, but in the end models bare an uncanny resemblance to tress, various animals and mobile works of art.
A Model participate in a 2008 World Body Painting Festival Asia at World Cup Stadium on August 29, 2008 in Daegu, South Korea. The "World Body painting Festival" is the largest Art event in the body painting theme and spreads the art form to thousands of interested visitors each year. Now the Festival is expanding with a vibrant and dedicated team in South Korea to host a second event. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images AsiaPac)
A model wears body art by Shin Won-Sun of South Korea during 2008 World Body Painting Festival Asia at World Cup Stadium on August 29, 2008 in Daegu, South Korea. The "World Body painting Festival" is the largest Art event in the body painting theme and spreads the art form to thousands of interested visitors each year. Now the Festival is expanding with a vibrant and dedicated team in South Korea to host a second event. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Artist paints the body of a model with pictures during a 2008 World Body Painting Festival Asia at World Cup Stadium on August 29, 2008 in Daegu, South Korea. The "World Body painting Festival" is the largest Art event in the body painting theme and spreads the art form to thousands of interested visitors each year. Now the Festival is expanding with a vibrant and dedicated team in South Korea to host a second event. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images AsiaPac)