Have you ever come across a traditional practice that got your mouth open like “what!”
Well it’s often said every practice surly has adherents. You’re about to find out some breath taking traditional practices/cultures practiced by some African tribes begining with 👇

Lip elongation/lip plate tradition

This is a traditional practice that entails tearing open the lip of a female and inserting a lip plate to it. It’s been practiced in certain tribes in Ethiopia like Suma, Mursi and Sara.

There, once a lady reaches 15 or 16 years old , her upper lip is cut open at times with a blade or sharp objects and a small plate is inserted inside then held with a sodden plug untill it heals. Bigger plates are added as the lip increases in size.

Few other stories have it that the lips of the women are cut open within 6 to 12 months if she’s due for marriage.

History has it that this practice was invented by the Ethiopian men during the period of slave trade and western colonization . The men wanted to make their ladies appear unattractive to the white foreigners so as to avoid the whites taking advantage of their wives.

However, The act became a part of the people and has been practiced for centuries now and is still adhered by some in the Ethiopian tribes today. It became highly respected by many and served as a symbol of great beauty, a sign of respect for the husband when worn during serving food. Lastly, the plate also acts as a powerful visual identity for Mursi women.

People have ofen posted questions like how do these women eat? Sleep etc. The lip plate can be removed when the lady wants to eat / sleep and later inserted back especially when she’s in public.

What are your thoughts about this traditional practice? Leave a reply as we’ll be bringing more of this to the table.

✓Sources
•I.C.D.O “International cultural diversity organisations”
•David Turton “lip plates and people who take photography”
•CM Kumar 2021
•Wikipedia

✓picture credit
•Istock
•Bloomberg
•Alami

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