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.
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| 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.
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| 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 It is sometimes seen as a way of preserving cultural heritage, while in other contexts, it is viewed as outdated or influenced by external pressures.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.
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| Beautiful Lip Plate |
