A large clay or wooden disc inserted in a pierced lower lip may not be considered a beautiful thing in the western world, but for some African and Amazonian tribes it is “a must”.
Women of African tribes, like Mursi or Surma, have their lips pierced around the age of 15-18, six months before their marriage. Two, sometimes four of the lower front teeth are removed and a 1-2 cm incision is performed. A small wooden peg is placed inside the cut, and, 2-3 weeks later, after the wound has healed, a larger peg is inserted.
The first clay plug is crafted by the bearer herself, and many women take great pride in adding ornamentation. The final diameter of the plates ranges between 8-16 cm and some researchers say they are a sign of social importance within the tribe. The larger the clay plug, the more important its bearer inside the tribal community.
After the wedding, the lip plugs are removed leaving the lip wrinkled and hanging.