Uri

Uri (also known as 'uli') refers to a form of body art found among the Igbo people. In the days of old, tree bark and other natural substances would be used to create inks that would be applied, by female artists, all over the bodies of women and men and on the walls of religious structures and shrines. Uri designs, like these shown on the body of this man, were used for aesthetic purposes and were applied on special occasions and festivals.

Unfortunately, today this art is in decline. The majority of uri artists that remain are elderly women, as the younger generations are largely disinterested in this tradition.

#igbohistory