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Mursi Tribe
Mursi are largely known for their custom of inserting a large balsawood or terracotta disk in the lower or upper lip. It is a sign of tribal identity and ornamentation but more importantly it is a useful means of indicating the size of the dowry paid by the family of a husband to that of the bride.
Six months prior to marriage a woman’s lip is pierced by her kinswomen and progressively stretched over a year’s time to accommodate the plate. Two teeth are pulled so the plate fits securely against the lower teeth. Women fashion their own plates from clay, color then with ochre and charcoal, and bake them in a fire. A young woman’s bride-price, determined by her family, is identified by the size of her “labial jewel,” and it is only removed at mealtimes, in the company of other women, and when sleeping.
Several reasons for the adoption of the lip plate have been put forth by anthropologists. Some believe that in centuries past the mutilation discouraged slavehunters by diminishing the marketplace value of captives, and when slaving died out, the practice continued. The Mursi believe that evil enters the body through the mouth, so other observers maintain that lip plate was instituted to prevent this from occurring. Popular theory holds that the size of the plate indicates the number of cattle necessary for marriage.
The disks are not worn ALL the time but only on worthy the effort occasions or in the form of 'dressing' up. An intact lip indicates the girl has not yet reached the age of maturity. Once she does, a little hole is made in her lip and is systematically enlarged throughout the years by wearing disks that increase in their size.
The Mursi (or Murzu) are a Sub-Saharan African nomadic cattle herder tribe located in the Omo valley in southwestern Ethiopia, close to the Sudanese border. The estimated population of the Mursi is around 3900. Surrounded by mountains and three rivers, the home of the Mursi is one of the most isolated regions of the country. Their neighbors include the Bodi, the Aari, the Banna, the Kara, the Bumi and the Chai. The Mursi have their own language, also called Mursi. Few are familiar with Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia, and their literacy level is very low. The religion of the Mursi tribe is classified as Animism, although about 15% are Christians. The Mursi women are famous of wearing plates in their lower lips. These lip discs are made of clay. Girls are pierced at the age of 15 or 16.