Historically, what are some countries or cultures where darker skin is more highly regarded than lighter skin?

Question

I've recently read about how in many areas of the world, women bleach their skin to try and achieve some kind of higher status. This behavior even existed in ancient times.

From what I understand one reason was that light skin was associated with not having to perform manual labor. Another reason is that in areas that have been colonized by Europeans, lighter skin was associated with power, wealth, etc.

So my question is: in which cultures has dark skin been regarded more highly than light skin as a result of a long cultural history and not as a modern backlash against the opposite and more common phenomenon.

Answer 1

In the movie beyond the gates of splendor, the South American Jungle Indians associate dark skin with power. They have lived in virtual isolation and seen neither white or black peoples. I heard a quote on an interview form one of these natives. When shown a photograph of a black man from Africa, he exclaimed "I will pray to God, that when I get to heaven I will be as dark as this man. Surely he is a very powerful man."

It's antidotal, but it's the only reference I am personally aware of which answers your question.

Answer 2

In a lot of cultures before white man came around flexing his muscles, black ebony skin was considered gorgeous
Its only because white people came and conquered that the darker skinned people wanted to be white because they equated white skin with power.
This didnt happen overnight it took many generations
I have an aboriginal friend that would love to have darker skin, as would lots of her relatives, they see it as a symbol of their heritage. Blacker the better as far as they are concerned
Have u seen the movie 'the rabbit proof fence'?
watch it , its heartbreaking but very informative about what ur asking

Answer 3

I think when people have dark skin in general, then lighter skin is considered a high status. So I guess where light skin is common then darker skin is considered more prestigious.

Answer 4

In most of Africa, dark has been associated with beauty and "good," but not neccessarily because of their skin color, but because dark clouds brought rain.


So as we, in the west, regard light/white as a "heavenly" or "good" color, the africans thought of light as deadly, because the sun was so bright and hot and overbearing.

Again, dark clouds brought release from the hot sun while rain brought with it life.

Answer 5

Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians actually used to tan, as we do today. They had special body oils to darken their skin. And in south Pacific islands, darker skinned women were considered more attrctive.

Answer 6

Haiti.

Answer 7

Africa probably