A pintura do corpo como uma das formas de revitalização da cultura Tupinikim: modos de fazer, tintas naturais e significados das cores

Abstract

The subject of this research arose from the need to investigate the processes and materials used in native Tupinikim body paintings, considering that these records are found in rich detail only among other ethnic groups. Therefore, we present a historical overview of the processes, materials, and symbology of the graphics already studied in available literature on other ethnic groups, in order to determine possible differentiations from the Tupinikim ethnicity, contributing to a dissemination of the Tupinikim ethnicity and culture as the main tool for its preservation. As a case study, the Tupinikim ethnic group located in the municipality of Aracruz in the state of Espírito Santo was chosen, because it is a very active community. Finally, we highlight some important references of contemporary indigenous art in which artists continue to use traditional materials, such as urucum and jenipapo, combined with other materials currently used by the artists. Although the methodological axis of the research was performed as a review of secondary sources due to the impossibility of conducting field research, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was possible for us to take part in some events which allowed us to realize that it is an efficient way of preserving oral memory, carried out by the ethnic groups and open to the public.