Red

Among African people, red is commonly associated with courage, desire, love, passion, physical energy, power, royalty, sexual energy, strength, and war. It is [Page 563]therefore no surprise that the color red has had a special, sacred, and spiritual significance for people of African ancestry since ancient times. Thus, the use of the color red on a crown of a Pharaoh, in body adornment for social status, or on the clothing of an Orisha or Lwa devotee attests to the political and spiritual importance that people of African ancestry have placed on red as a communication code, as well as a color with a potentially powerful visual impact.

The first evidence of the special status of red in African culture was around 3000 BC, when, in Kernet (ancient Egypt), red was connected with political events, societal position, spiritual ceremonies, and warrior courage. Indeed, when Pharaoh Menés (a.k.a. Namer) united Upper and Lower Kernet (ancient Egypt) into one powerful kingdom, approximately 3000 BC, the Red and White Crown was placed on his head to represent the new land. The red was associated with Lower Kernet, whereas the white was associated with Upper Kernet. Menés was said to be the Pharaoh of two Nations and wearer of two Crowns. It was the start of the 1st dynasty, and the foundation of a central government was institutionalized. Under the Red (and White) Crown, Kernet developed written communication systems, trade routes, effective industries, agricultural techniques, and the science of erecting permanent pyramids. It was during this period as well that a strong army was created to actively protect and defend its eastern borders by spilling the red blood of their enemies as commanded by the Pharaoh wearing a Red Crown.

During the 4th dynasty of the Old Kingdom, red granite blocks of stone were used as the building material to construct the first known true shaped pyramid. The Great Red Pyramid of Sneferu (approximately 345 feet, 2600 BC) in Dahshur Necropolis of the 4th dynasty is surpassed in height and grandeur only by the Great Pyramid of Khufu (approximately 480 feet, 2560 BC) and the Great Pyramid of Khafre (approximately 471 feet, 2530 BC) in Giza Necropolis built during that same period. The strength and durability of red granite stone blocks were known by the pyramid engineers, stone craftsmen, and interior artisans of Kernet. However, its color was also visually and aesthetically attractive to the eyes and a symbolic statement of royalty that added to its choice as the building material used on and in sacred structures and places. Red granite blocks were first used as a building material in the tomb of Pharaoh Den of the 1st dynasty (2985 BC) in Umm el-Qa'ab at Abydos. Kemet's geographical southern neighbors, the Nubians, used local red sandstone as well for good construction masonry for Tantamani's pyramid.

Elsewhere and later in Africa, we find the same continued reverence for red. For example, in Lower Congolese society, the color red had a multifunctional use as a symbolic language, informed with mythical belief concerning social status, developmental state, health condition, healing power, leadership ability, and warrior skills. Indeed, a red-colored painted body represents physical beauty, sexual desire, and maturity among the teenagers who are moving to adulthood and getting ready for marriage. A person reddened by painting, smearing, or daubing a pigment from pomade, red tree bark, red powder, coral wood, or palm oil on their body or clothing can denote weakened physical condition—old age, pregnant, sickened, and wounded. Aged people's bodies were rubbed with nkula-red and palm oil to promote good health and healing. Similarly, pregnant women, especially those who experienced miscarriages, daub their bodies with red pomade to enhance the belief that, next time, there will be a healthy birth. When the child is born, they are smeared with red pomade on their bodies for several months, and amulets are placed on them to give ngolo (physical strength and force). The meanings associated with the color red extend to protection from evil spirits or the ability to have magical powers. However, in the case of a severe negative health condition, this information is symbolically communicated in the society by reddening the skin of the person to warn of contamination risk, to report that the person has recovered from contagious illness or is released from convalescence seclusion. Wounds and sores are also smeared with red pomade or palm oil after the infected and gashed area has been cleansed with water to accelerate the natural healing process.

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