Traditional painting materials
Anangu make paints from natural mineral substances mixed with water and sometimes with animal fat. They most commonly use red, yellow, orange, white, grey and black pigments.
- Red, yellow and orange pigments are iron stained clays called ochres.
- Calcite, a chalky mineral, and also ash are used to make white pigments. Calcite occurs naturally in calcrete deposits common in this area.
- For the black pigment charcoal is used.
As these materials are used in religious ceremonies Anangu handle them with great respect.