Clay is one of the oldest, most common, natural materials traceable across continents, cultures and uses. Its colour can range from white right up to a deep orange-brown – apigment also known as ochre. When the clay contains large amounts of hematite or dehydrated iron oxide, it becomes redder in colour. Clay is non-toxic and can be used for sculpting, painting and even on skin and hair.
French scientist, Jean-Étienne Astier, was the first to develop an industrialised process of making ochre pigment from clay. Fascinated by the clif fs of yellow and red clay dotting his home village of Roussillon in France, he managed to extract this ochre pigment, reserving the best quality for artists back in 1780.
Around this time, in Britain ochre came in use rather widely in the fishing industry. The fine powder would be combined with oil and used to coat and protect sails from the salty seawater.
Back home in Africa, Egyptians used the ochre pigment for their tomb paintings. More recently, one may be familiar with images of the Himba women of Namibia, who coat their hair and skin in a dark brownishred clay. Or perhaps rural Xhosa people in the Eastern Cape, usually those whose work or daily activities demand them to be outdoors. This clay is locally called iMbola and it is mixed with water or animal fat and mainly worn to protect the skin and hair from the harsh sun and other external elements.