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Women wearing Lip-rings
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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. When the wound is healed, the small pin is withdrawn, and a larger one introduced, and the plan is carried on for years, until at last the full-sized pelele can be worn. Date: 1868
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Media ID 14306962
© Mary Evans Picture Library
1868 Body Deformation Disc Malawi Pelele Pierced Piercing Plates Plugs Ring Rings Southeast Stretched Zambia Racial Upper
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the distinctive traditional practice of lip-plating among women of the Manganja tribe in Southeast Africa, specifically in Malawi and Zambia, during the late 19th century. The women in the image, adorned with pelele, or lip-plates, are members of this ethnic group, whose cultural identity is deeply intertwined with this body modification. The pelele is a form of lip-plating that involves gradually increasing the size of the lip plate over time. The process begins when girls are very young, with the upper lip being pierced close to the nose and a small pin inserted to prevent the orifice from closing. As the wound heals, a larger pin is introduced, and the process is repeated until the full-sized pelele can be worn. The pelele is a significant part of the Manganja women's identity and is believed to symbolize beauty, fertility, and maturity. The plates can be made from various materials, including wood, ivory, or metal, and are often decorated with intricate designs. This photograph, taken in 1868, offers a rare glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the Manganja people and the significance of body modification in their society. The practice of lip-plating is a testament to the resilience and creativity of African cultures, which continue to inspire and intrigue people around the world.
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