THE OTHER SIDE OF BEAUTY


Of all the indigenous tribes in Ethiopia, the Surma and Mursi tribes are among the most few tribes who still continue to indulge in the unique (actually, the word I intended using was 'shocking') tradition of inserting lip plates in the lower lips.


It takes place when the girl is between 13 and 20 years old prior to marriage. The lower lip is perforated and a small plate is introduced at first. Later on the disc is progressively replaced with a larger plate and the lower teeth is knocked out to accommodate the size of the plate
.

And yes, they also insert large discs in their ears
Both discs are made from wood or clay and decorated according to the girl's preferences.
Let's take a 'tour' on the significance of this weird culture


BEAUTY - it is considered beautiful for a girl to wear a lip disc. Men from these tribes find girls who wear lip disc very attractive. Unmarried girls wear them whenever they are in public to showcase their beauty and seek attention from the males (
wow! ) The weight of the plate dangling slows down how quickly a woman can walk and the swaying is said to produce a 'desirable grace' .


BRIDE WEALTH - The lip plates have significance in valuing the bride price of the woman. It is claimed that the larger the plate, the higher the dowry to be collected by the girl's father (the dowry here is Cattle). In most cases where the bride price is decided even before the girl gets the lip cut, it is renegotiated considering the size of her lip plate when she is due for marriage. If two men are vying for the same girl, the size of the lip-plate may increase the bride price.


SELF-ESTEEM AND STRENGTH - the lip-
plates are considered to represent self esteem and validation. Hence, if the girl gets pregnant either outside marriage or when she is not married, SHE LOSES THE RIGHT TO WEAR THE PLATE. The lip plate also express reproductive potential and social adulthood. The stretch and weight of the disc portrays the ability to remain calm in difficult situations, hardwork and pride in being a woman.
Oh yeah welcome back from the 'tour'


Note Although it is not necessary to wear the plates at all times, married women are expected to insert their plates when their husbands are around and esp when serving their husbands food or water (recognizing headship I guess ) and during important ritual events such as weddings and the indigenous stick fighting competitions (a topic for another day ).
At the core of this is the idea that the lip-plate represents strength, grace, power and pride. A woman with a large stretched lip is seen as being tougher. Women who don’t stretch are seen as weak, lazy and clumsy.





What is your take on this 'beautiful' cultural heritage?

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Ethiopian here

It looks extreme to me, but since it's norm for them, I support their culture. Those and other unique ppl live in the lower valleys of Awash and Omo. Those 2 areas cultures are UNESCO heritage sites.

Ethiopia had 11 UNESCO heritage sites (the largest in Africa) and more will be soon registered.

Those ppl speak Omotic and Cushitic family languages, Afro-Asiatic super family language.

Ethiopia is a unique and beautiful country in terms of both in ppl and landscapes.

Op, enjoy this Ethiopian song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZyFO9HmX44