The colonizers effect on the colonizer. Remember Native Americans paint their faces as well, but it made your ancestors uncomfortable because they only did it to create fear, and to hide.

More significantly in African and Native American cultures face painting is used not only for battle, and strength, but to depict social standing, and even more importantly spiritual connection to the most high, and balance with nature. In our culture certain materials, colors, and images have even deeper symbolic meaning meant to awaken the higher self in the wearer, and the witness.