Camwood pigment

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Camwood pigment
African, Calabar, Igbo people
Pigment

Donated by Dr Peter Rattray
Museum number 9999-1214

This red powder was used in the process of uli body painting. It was rubbed on to the skin to stop it sweating so that when the painted uli designs were applied they did not smudge. The designs were drawn freehand on to the body using metal tools and lasted for about four days.