Let’s Learn More about the Practice of Lip Plating With ForeTVHub

From defining social behaviour to personifying a group of people, every culture is intriguing. Some of them present different customs while others describe fierceness. Collectively they can be defined as the styles of a particular society. Let’s learn about lip plating, a practice in some tribes with ForeTVHub Arts & Culture!

Lip Plate

Also known as a lip disc or lip plug, lip plating is a type of modification of the body. In it, large discs are inserted into a pierced hole in either of the lips, leading to its stretching. Usually, these discs are circular and made from wood or clay. This practice is mostly seen in African native tribes.

However, some of the Amazonian tribes of South America, consisting of young males, pierce lips and start wearing plates while stepping into the men’s house and leaving the world of women.

In some African countries, a lower lip plate is joined with the excision of two lower teeth from the front side, sometimes four. Talking of Lobi and Sara people, they insert a plate into their upper lip.

Practice in Ethiopia

Lip piercing is also a practice among the Surma and Mursi people of the lower Omo River Valley, Ethiopia. There, young women of nearly 15-18 years of age and somewhere around 6 to 12 months before getting married get their lips pierced by their mother or any kinswomen.

The Process Involved

The initial piercing is performed as the incision of the length of 1 to 2 cm, followed by the insertion of a simple wooden peg. After the wound has healed, which can take between two to three weeks, a slightly bigger peg replaces the initial peg.

The first lip plate, which is made up of clay, is put at a diameter of nearly 4 cm. Each woman makes her plate and feels proud to add some decoration. The final diameter can range from almost 8 cm to more than 20 cm.

Lip Plating as a Symbol

As claimed in 1990 by Beckwith and Carter 1990, for the women belonging to the Mursi and Surma group, the size of the lip plate denotes the cattle number paid as the bride price. However, Turton, an Anthropologist who has devoted three decades to study Mursi, doesn’t agree with it. On the other hand, LaTosky comes up with a point that several women of the Mursi tribe use lip plates and their ornamentation value lies within the topic of female strength.

Coming to contemporary culture, most girls from 13 to 18 years of age appeared to choose whether or whether not to wear this plate. Due to this embellishment, women of Surma and Mursi are treated like a tourist attraction.

Final Thoughts

Cultures are an inseparable part of human lives. Adding to it, learning about art and cultures can keep people connected. Along with this fascinating culture, there is a lot for you to explore! For that, stay connected to ForeTvHub Arts & Culture.

Sarah K, a professional writer who share interests in different creative niches. Her ideas and tips towards such niches have contributed to the online community.