LIP DISC

Lip disc is a form of body modification considered fashionable and beautiful in some parts of Africa such as Ethiopia, Chad, Tanzania and Mozambique.

Ethiopia : Among the surma and Mursi people of the lower Omo river valley in Ethiopia, about 6 to 12 months before marriage, a young woman has her lip pierced by her mother or one of her kinswomen usually at the ages of 15 to 18.

The Process: The two lower teeth are knocked out(usually by a rock) and a slit is made in their lower lip in which a small wooden plug is Inserted. This plug is however replaced by a larger one until the lip is stretched enough to hold a clay plate.

°Many sources have suggested that the plate size was a sign of social or economical importance in some tribes.

Because the lip disc makes talking difficult, women only wear them in the company of men but remove them to eat and sleep or when they're in the company of women or children.

The culture is mostly likely to go into extinction in Ethiopia as some African countries don't practice it anymore.

Would you suggest it goes into extinction?