Traditional Jagua Body Art History.

Aileen — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:44:22 +0000

It is most likely because of the many highly valued ethnobotanical uses that this fruiting tree is so well dispersed throughout all of tropical and Sub tropical Central and South America.

No one can say exactly how long Jagua Body painting has been carried out by the indigenous people of the Amazon and Chocó rainforests. A lot of the tribes are very remote and are still completely cut off from ‘Western Civilisation’. However as the world becomes a smaller place, there are now indigenous people who have opened up their worlds to us. For example, the Wounan & Emberra of Panama and Colombia, the Bakairi of Brazil and the Kadiewéu of Paraguay.

It is apparent however that the Jagua Body Painting Tradition is an old one, it goes back as long as people can remember. Passed down through the generations, different tribes have different techniques for preparing their paint, different tools and methods of application and many varied reasons and occasions for applying it and of course they also have different designs and patterns to symbolize and capture different aspects of their cultures.

Traditional and Modern Day Uses For Jagua

Simon — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 00:10:45 +0000

The jagua tree has been used for as long as can be remembered throughout the rainforest’s of Central and South America. Like many of the rainforest plants, the jagua tree is treasured for its many uses as detailed below. These days the jagua tree is still native throughout the biodiverse rainforest’s of Latin America, and the indigenous people still utilize the trees as they have for generations upon generations. Jagua fruit is the most treasured part of the tree, because it provides so many resources. The fruit is eaten when ripe, and made into beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and desserts. The unripe fruit is used for traditional body art, for everyday wear and for celebrational occasions. When jagua is used to stain the skin it also offers protection from some biting insects (especially sand flies) and also offers camouflage and some protection from the sun. It’s not at all uncommon to see young infants completely covered in jagua! Jagua is even used to stain ropes and fabrics. Jagua fruit also has various medicinal purposes, which are considered ‘Traditional Knowledge’ these medicinal uses are practiced throughout the rainforest. Today there are many scientists working on Western Medicines who are currently researching some of the interesting phytochemicals of the jagua tree. After all, many of our Western Medicines were derived from other rainforest plants and the traditional knowledge that highlighted their medicinal benefits. In list format below I have detailed both the modernday and traditional uses for the different parts of the henna plant; these uses are known as Ethnobotanical uses.

Traditional and Modernday Uses for Jagua:
Fruit – provides a valuable food source for most of the year.

Ripe fruit is eaten raw
The fruit is also processed to produce; desserts (e.g. bullet of jenipapo), jams, syrups, non alcoholic beverages and sherbets, wines and liqueurs (e.g. huitochado, jenipapada)

Fruit – provides a valuable source of traditional medicines.

Used to treat such ailments as; Colds, sore throats, asthma, chest infections and other respiratory problems
Used for its antiseptic, antibiotic, bactericidal and fungicidal properties
Used for its insect repelling qualities
Used for protection from sunburn

Fruit – provides a valuable source of natural dye

Used to decorate the body
Used to decorate fabrics and other natural materials

Wood – a quick growing sustainable supply with a tree that is native to the Amazon

Firewood; relatively young trees, 5 years old
Timber; relatively young trees, 10 years old

Bark – a by-product of firewood and timber

High in tannin; used for treating leather
Fibres; used for cordage

Leaves – available all year round

Fodder; eaten by cattle

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Traditional Jagua Body Art History.

Traditional and Modern Day Uses For Jagua