Pelele Collection

Indigenous people of Brazil and Paraguay, South America
Indigenous men and women of Brazil and Paraguay, South America, wearing lip and ear plugs (pelele). This is done when the child is young, the upper lip is pierced close to the nose

Female riddle, plate 1 of Proverbs, 1819-23, pub. 1864 (etching)
IND82101 Female riddle, plate 1 of Proverbs, 1819-23, pub. 1864 (etching) by Goya y Lucientes, Francisco Jose de (1746-1828); 24.7x35.9 cm; Private Collection; Index Fototeca

A Native African Woman Wearing A Lip Piercing Known As A Pelele, In The 19Th Century. From Africa By Keith Johnston, Published 1884

Women wearing Lip-rings
Two women from Manganja tribe wearing lip-rings (pelele). When girls are very young, the upper lip is pierced close to the nose, and a small pin inserted to prevent the orifice from closing

Body Deformation / Lips
Lip-ring of South American native

Pelele and Pipe
A Congo West African with lip plates (pelele), smoking a pipe. Date: early 1930s

El Pelele (The Straw Mannikin)

African Lip Plates
Africans with lip plates (pelele), part of a circus, which was about to travel to London. Date: 1930s

Africans with Pelele
Three Congo natives with lip plates (pelele), listening to a radio broadcast in West Africa

African Radio Broadcast
Congo natives with lip plates (pelele) making a radio broadcast in West Africa

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Pelele: A Timeless Tradition of Indigenous Women in South America and Africa Pelele, a female riddle shrouded in history, is a body modification practice deeply rooted in the cultures of Indigenous peoples in Brazil and Paraguay. This ancient custom, depicted in Plate 1 of Proverbs, 1819-23, and published in 1864, involves the insertion of large lip plates, a tradition also found among certain African communities. The intriguing etching, "A Native African Woman Wearing A Lip Piercing Known As A Pelele," published in 1884, offers a glimpse into this captivating custom. Women of various African tribes, such as the Mursi and Surma of Ethiopia, have worn lip plates for centuries as a symbol of beauty and maturity. However, the practice extends beyond the realm of aesthetics. In some cultures, it is believed that the larger the lip plate, the more attractive a woman is to potential suitors. Furthermore, the plates serve as a rite of passage, signifying the transition from girlhood to womanhood. The Pelele and Pipe, another intriguing depiction of this body modification, is a symbol of the connection between the earth and the spiritual world. The pipe represents the connection to the earth, while the Pelele represents the connection to the spiritual realm. El Pelele, or The Straw Mannikin, is a term used to describe the process of inserting the lip plate. The procedure involves gradually increasing the size of the plate over time, often starting with a small disc and gradually adding larger ones. African Lip Plates, such as the Pelele, have been a subject of fascination for many, inspiring various forms of art, from paintings to sculptures. The practice continues to be celebrated in contemporary African culture, with radio broadcasts and documentaries showcasing the rich history and significance of this ancient custom.