Traditions and Rites of Passage

[Tsteu'itan]

Ooh, haha, then it's not caliche, I guess.  I just always hear about "caliche pits" and "caliche roads," I thought maybe that's what it was, since it's so common.

It may actually be a type of limestone or talc, honestly, But I'm just not sure.  I just know it looks like a normal rock until you scrape it on the ground, and then it acts like chalk.  So possibly limestone.

ETA:  Actually, I'm going to say it probably was caliche.  I just googled "caliche pits" and it mentioned that it's used in roads in west Texas, and that's exactly what I was thinking about.  They used it in our rural dirt roads, and it  was laying everywhere.  So yeah, maybe it wouldn't be good for paint.  But you could use it for powder-pigments.

Now I wish I could remember the things I learned in my Geology classes.  :/  Paleontology and Geology were my passion as a kid, so I should know this stuff better then I do.

[Tompa'Ivong]

it could be, i was right on the compound CaCo, its often limestone

but yea, I could see different varieties of ochre's being used, in theory you could come up with purple and Lilac colors cause purple ochre does exist.  I would really favor purple, it looks pretty, along with red

[Eawnyu te Tisorina'Srusiyu'ite]

oks not sure how well this will help but i found a website that has info on what plants make what colors and how to do it, but its dye not paint. still looking for the paint part. did find a few websites for milk pain for walls and stuff....dont really like the idea of milk based paint though.....yuck

http://www.pioneerthinking.com/naturaldyes.html

[Tompa'Ivong]

thanks for posting that link

Karma Kookie 4 U

[Tsteu'itan]

Actually, all old style paints and dyes had something of that sort in them.  before oil paints were invented, they used a paint for murals that was made with egg as the base. 

[Eawnyu te Tisorina'Srusiyu'ite]

egg base could work for buildings and the like but on skin it might start to burn after a while.....or flake off....idk im not testing it, lol....i found another site for a flour based paint...im gonna see if i can find the link again and ill post it later

[Yeynari]

Here's a site listing different chemical and natural sources for different tattoo pigments, maybe it can help. I've no idea how safe they are to experiment with on your own though, you might want to talk it over with either a chemist or a knowledgeable tattoo artist first. As for base, the traditional one is fat, either animal- or plant-based.

http://chemistry.about.com/library/weekly/aa121602a.htm

[Txontaw]

I still say let's just stick with some sort of necklace/bracelet....much less hassle and much less painful.

[Eawnyu te Tisorina'Srusiyu'ite]

erm oks.......that doesnt sound very good.....the animal based ones i mean.......plant maybe but again you'll have to test it on yourself to make sure there is no allergic reaction........

[Tsteu'itan]

Something I thought about today would be if the community decided to use Indigo or Mahendi for body ornamentation instead of tattoos or piercings or scarification.  It's long-lasting, and looks rather like a tattoo, and the designs can be quite lovely.  And with Mahendi (I don't know how Indigo is produced - I think it's a mineral that's mined) you could simply grow the plants needed for the dyes on a small farm.

If you were able to use Indigo, it would perhaps be a nice way of referencing the Na'vi roots that brought you all together, by putting deep blue markings on yourself, even if it was a decoration that wasn't stripes, but was something symbolic to the community.  I could just be more partial to Indigo, though, since I have Irish roots and anything Blue makes me <3! 

[Key'ìl Nekxetse]

I think a well made piece of jewellery of some sort would be ideal. Something as simple as a carved piece of wood would work, as it would be a nice aesthetic item to own and would also provide the sense of community and be unique.
Quick mock up, although lacking in ornamental patterning:

[Armorant]

ive been tattooing for almost 9 years now but with modern methods (electricity). though im sure i can figure something out.

[Eywayä lì'u]

If it came to and had to be tattooing of sorts, I think that I would be much more comfortable having the UV freckles, although there wouldn't be any sort of uv light once in the tribe so it's pointless

[Eawnyu te Tisorina'Srusiyu'ite]

aww come on. they would still be awsome. i think there is a glow in the dark type. OH had an idea about temp tattoos for the tribe, for ceremonial things and the like. Henna could be used for this. nontoxic and natural. comes in two colors that i know of. painless and who's to say that our markings couldn't be done every so many days or how ever long the design lasts. henna "tats" last a while when properly taken care of.

linky link -----> http://www.hennapage.com/  i dont know why i didnt think of it before, i was looking at the designs MONTHS ago. yeah i deserve a fail card for that one.

[Eywayä lì'u]

A glow in the dark type would be good, never thought of that. I still don't really like tattoos but if I had to, the freckles would be the best I think.

[Eawnyu te Tisorina'Srusiyu'ite]

well then henna could be used. its a stain, put it on the skin and let is sit for a bit, wipe it off and you're good. when it starts to fade too bad put some more on. and you're good for a longer time. easy, not bulky or able to be snagged like jewelry/armbands. just put it on and forget it for a time.

[Tsteu'itan]

That's why I originally mentioned Henna and Indigo myself, too.  It'll last for weeks, even months at a time if you're careful, and it's painfree.

Just don't ever, EVER EVER use "black" Henna.  It's a "new" type of Henna, though I use the name loosely.  It's a synthetic chemical meant to make black henna designs, but it can cause such severe allergic reactions that it disfigures the part of the body you put it on permanently from scarring.

[NaviFreedomFighter]

I really like the idea of the Navi names I think we should run with that