Mursi Tribe - Clay Lip Plate Frontal Colour
In the Omo Valley of Ethiopia, one of the most famous traditions of the Surma women (a collective term for the Mursi and Suri tribes) is the wearing of clay lip plates, a prominent feature in African tribal art. This practice begins when a woman reaches marriageable age.
The process involves knocking out two lower teeth, usually with a rock, and making a slit in the lower lip, where a small wooden plug is inserted. This plug is gradually replaced with larger ones until the lip can accommodate a clay plate. This custom symbolizes beautification and status, often fetching a significant dowry for her hand in marriage.
Explore the unique traditions of the Omo Valley tribes through my fine art prints.
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, one of the most famous traditions of the Surma women (a collective term for the Mursi and Suri tribes) is the wearing of clay lip plates, a prominent feature in African tribal art. This practice begins when a woman reaches marriageable age.
The process involves knocking out two lower teeth, usually with a rock, and making a slit in the lower lip, where a small wooden plug is inserted. This plug is gradually replaced with larger ones until the lip can accommodate a clay plate. This custom symbolizes beautification and status, often fetching a significant dowry for her hand in marriage.
Explore the unique traditions of the Omo Valley tribes through my fine art prints.
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, one of the most famous traditions of the Surma women (a collective term for the Mursi and Suri tribes) is the wearing of clay lip plates, a prominent feature in African tribal art. This practice begins when a woman reaches marriageable age.
The process involves knocking out two lower teeth, usually with a rock, and making a slit in the lower lip, where a small wooden plug is inserted. This plug is gradually replaced with larger ones until the lip can accommodate a clay plate. This custom symbolizes beautification and status, often fetching a significant dowry for her hand in marriage.
Explore the unique traditions of the Omo Valley tribes through my fine art prints.
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
