A body painting picture of a Matsés boy showing typical Matsés body art with facial painting.  Each Amazonian tribe has characteristic body art and tattoos.  It is important for the young to learn about their history and cultural traditions in order to maintain the cultural integrity of their tribe.   This Matsés tribe boy is a native from the Amazon Rainforest with distinctive Matsés face painting. Some say that Matsés facial painting and tattoos are meant to frighten outsiders by making these natives appear more fierce to other Amazonian tribes.