HARMFUL CULTURAL PRACTICES: Lip
Plating
Lip plating, also known as a lip disc
or lip plug, is a body modification process where a plate or disc is inserted
into a pierced hole in the lip. This practice is most commonly associated with
certain indigenous cultural practices mostly found in Africa and South America.
 |
| Lip Plate |
Cultural
Significance and Tribes
- Mursi and Surma Tribes (Ethiopia): Among the Mursi and Surma people of Ethiopia, women
traditionally wear large clay or wooden lip plates. The practice usually
begins in adolescence, with the lower lip pierced and gradually stretched
to accommodate larger plates. The plate size can be seen as a symbol of
beauty, social status, and sometimes even the bride's dowry.
- Amazonian Tribes:
In some South American tribes, like the Kayapo of Brazil, lip plates
(called "botoque") are worn by men as a sign of their status and
maturity.
The
Process
- Piercing:
The lower lip is typically pierced, and a small peg is inserted. Over
time, the peg is replaced with larger ones, gradually stretching the lip.
- Insertion: Once the lip is sufficiently stretched, a disc made of clay, wood, or other materials is inserted into the hole.
 |
| Pieced Lip For Lip Plating |
Modern
Perspectives
While lip plates are still worn in
some traditional communities, the practice has declined in others. It is
sometimes seen as a way of preserving cultural heritage, while in other
contexts, it is viewed as outdated or influenced by external pressures.
Educational Perspectives
Lip plates are often discussed in
anthropology and cultural studies, as they raise interesting questions about
beauty standards, cultural identity, and the impacts of globalization.
 |
| Beautiful Lip Plate |
