Kieron LeVine

We were lucky enough to receive a visit from Kieron LeVine a headwear artist, designer and contributor of online magazine Another Africa from Isle of Wight. He was very interesting and shared his wide knowledge of cultural and tribal body alterations and other animistic aspects that are very useful and inspiring for this special effects unit of work.

I had a look at Kieron's website which features a lot of his own work and photographed headpieces.
http://www.keiron-le-vine.co.uk/millinery/

This is the online magazine in which he does a lot of work for also:
http://www.anotherafrica.net/

Scarification:

The mark of the Crocodile

http://amazingstuff.co.uk/humanity/crocodile-scarring/#.U-4gOfldWSp

- These scars had many meanings, identifying different tribes. It also determined the status of the person. Different scars were given at different times on particular parts of the body. It was a type of acceptance and initiation showing grief, bravery and even religion in some examples. The skin would be cut and then things would be rubbed into the wounds to make the bumps bigger.

          

Neck Rings

Ndebele tribe - Neck rings were worn to represent marriage and to show the wealth of the husband. The more rings worn the wealthier they were.

              


Ear and Lip Stretching

This type of body modification was to help women attract a husband. It was seen as very sexual and attractive. Women were seen more as objects within these tribes.









Skull Binding

Skull binding was done by tribes such as The Mangbetu tribe who binded babies skulls with winds of material to elongate them. This was a sign of having more knowledge.