"Yaake" Dancer
In preparation, the men spend hours applying make-up to highlight their facial gestures. A pale yellow powder applied to the entire face offers a beautiful and striking contrast to a man's otherwise dark skin. Kohl drawn around the eyes and lips draws attention to their white, gnashing teeth and rolling eyes during the dance. A painted white line, which starts at the forehead and ends at the chin, serves to elongate the nose.
© Kieron Nelson 1999 "Vanishing Cultures Photography" All rights reserved
