body painting or body painting is one of the earliest forms of visual expression used by our ancestors. At the dawn of humanity, our ancestors discovered the colored earth, charcoal, chalk, colored berry juice, the blood of animals and many others colors may be used to impress the enemy as war paint, or sign in recognition of a tribe. This staining technique was also used primitive camouflage for hunting.
Probably even before the first stone is engraved, the man and pigments applied on his body to assert its identity, belonging to the group and position themselves in relation to its surroundings. This practice of painting becomes an instrument of transformation. The designs and colors can change identity, to mark the entry into a new state or social group, to define a position or ritual to reaffirm membership of a particular community, or are simply ornamental.
Source: Wikipedia
