clay binds smell to the body

a 13-year old's science fair application of those paper reinforcements to someone's tongue to count taste buds has been utilized by actual scientists

and if you eat anise while you're pregnant, your child will show an affinity for anise. same with your breast milk vs. someone else's or even a familiar formula, the kid will always want yours. and from everything i've read, it seems like you should just always keep a t-shirt you've been wearing in bed with your infant, that whole fragrant comfort thing. couldn't hurt

the ongee people are olfactory in every sense

clay paints are believed to help bind smells to the body, while different designs alter the ways in which the body releases smell.  it is the olfactory ambience of the village that is of the greatest concern to the ongee, not its extension in physical space