Mursi Tribe - Clay Lip Plate Frontal BW
In the Omo Valley of Ethiopia, when a Mursi woman reaches puberty and is of marriageable age, it is traditional for her to undergo the practice of inserting a lip plate into her lower lip. A slit is made with a razor blade, and the lip is gradually stretched over time by inserting a series of wooden plugs. Once sufficiently stretched, a heavier clay plate is placed in the lower lip.
A woman with a large lip plate is considered a measure of beauty and status, fetching a high dowry price. One theory suggests that this tradition began to deter slave traders from taking women from the villages.
All photos are signed limited edition prints: M 50 : L 25 : XL 15
Print sizes in the drop-down menu refer to the image size only
Each photograph has a 2-inch (5cm) white border surrounding the image
Need more info, head to Details & Frequently Asked Questions on the menu bar in INFO
In the Omo Valley of Ethiopia, when a Mursi woman reaches puberty and is of marriageable age, it is traditional for her to undergo the practice of inserting a lip plate into her lower lip. A slit is made with a razor blade, and the lip is gradually stretched over time by inserting a series of wooden plugs. Once sufficiently stretched, a heavier clay plate is placed in the lower lip.
A woman with a large lip plate is considered a measure of beauty and status, fetching a high dowry price. One theory suggests that this tradition began to deter slave traders from taking women from the villages.
All photos are signed limited edition prints: M 50 : L 25 : XL 15
Print sizes in the drop-down menu refer to the image size only
Each photograph has a 2-inch (5cm) white border surrounding the image
Need more info, head to Details & Frequently Asked Questions on the menu bar in INFO
In the Omo Valley of Ethiopia, when a Mursi woman reaches puberty and is of marriageable age, it is traditional for her to undergo the practice of inserting a lip plate into her lower lip. A slit is made with a razor blade, and the lip is gradually stretched over time by inserting a series of wooden plugs. Once sufficiently stretched, a heavier clay plate is placed in the lower lip.
A woman with a large lip plate is considered a measure of beauty and status, fetching a high dowry price. One theory suggests that this tradition began to deter slave traders from taking women from the villages.
All photos are signed limited edition prints: M 50 : L 25 : XL 15
Print sizes in the drop-down menu refer to the image size only
Each photograph has a 2-inch (5cm) white border surrounding the image
Need more info, head to Details & Frequently Asked Questions on the menu bar in INFO
