African Culture: The Mursi And Their Lip Plate

 Africa has for long time refered to as the mother of cultures. That is because of the interesting cultures found here. Some culture constitute some activities that one never thought can but in Africa is found. 

Today let me take you through a dangerous tribe but with very interesting culture that you didn't think can happen and this is none other than the MURSI and their lip plates.

The Mursi and their lip plates 

The Mursi are a surmic tribe residing in the southern part of Ethiopia near Omo valley.

Their land is mostly covered with mountains hence appear like isolated from other Ethiopian communities.

Thy are about 11,500 people and speak the Mursi language.

They practice different fascinating cultures and undergo different rites of passage,educational and disciplinary processes.

The lip plate 

This is the most interesting part of their culture.

At the age of 15-16, girl's lips are pieces and a wooden plate is inserted. This plate will be gradually increased so as to increase the size of the hole on the lip.

It was a must for all the unmarried girls to wear it as this determines the character of the lady and also the bride price during marriage.

A girl who is not wearing is considered lazy and will receive less dowry during marriage.

The one who wears it and continue increasing the size upto about 12cm will be considered a good wife and will get high bride price of not less than 50 cows.

The singles and the newly married wears this plate in special occasions like whenserving food in a wedding.

When married, they can slowly stop wearing it and remove it when the husband dies.

The plate can also be worn during dance and also to attract tourists and earn money.

Duelling, the ritualized male violence.

Men also undergo very interesting intiation

During intiation, the boy is given a stick which is about 2-2.5metres and has a curve at the end. He is supposed to carry this stick as it will help him defend his enemies and take care of his cattles.

The stick also he can use during the duelling ceremony

This ceremony in elves fighting to attract a woman.

For the men to prove their manhood, they are supposed to engage in a fight. The winner in the fight will be given the best wife in the community.

Painting of bodies 

The Mursi paint the whole body using clay.

This is mostly to protect themselves from the sunlight as the place around Omo valley is a semi-arid and they were supposed to go and take care of cattles.

They also believed that, painting of their bodies will ward off evil spirits, intimidate enemies and also attract the opposing sex.

Scarification

The Mursi practised scarification.

For the women, scarification was for decoration and to attract the opposite sex.

For the men, scarification was a symbolic as a sign of courage and disregard for the pain.

It was also used to show the number of enemies that a person has killed.

The Mursi are the dangerous tribe all over the world and so agressive to their enemies. They practise cattle rustling and they have a slogan that "no life without killing."

They worship the spirit of death hence are taught that man shall live in battles and dangers.

They eat the bodies of their fellow countrymen if they didn't die from any disease.

Due to their aggressiveness, it has been difficult for tourists to witness some of the rites of passage Frome this community.

This is because they kill and eat the body of any stranger who steps into their land without their permission.

This has made them remain isolated until today.

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