
Small Surma Children
African Ceremonies: Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher
Material: Photograph
Location: Sir Thomas More Building
Transforming the body with paint is a source of delight for small Surma children, like “dressing up” in the Western world. In this way they learn to decorate themselves for courtship rituals later in life. These little girls have painted their faces with identical designs to identify themselves as best friends. In anticipation of maturity they often encircle their nipples with white chalk lines.