The Mursi are famed for the big, round lower lip discs worn by the women. For the first small disc to be inserted upon the girl reaching puberty, the skin under her lower lip is cut and two lower incisors are removed. With time, these discs get progressively larger and the lower lip is stretched. Contrary to what is often asserted in the literature, the custom has nothing to do with ideals of beauty or a higher bride price. On the Mursi’s own account, it is an ancient tradition signalling a rite of passage. The present, relatively small Mursi lower lip disc is made of ivory. Lip discs made of ivory have not been made (according to the Mursi) for a long time — not since the mid-20th century. From then onwards discs were being made of clay (often painted) or of wood. The custom is slowly disappearing. Young Mursi girls who attend school in other parts, no longer wish to wear lip discs. The present round ivory lip disc has on its upper side a thickened edge and an almost centrally located through-hole. For the fitting inside the lip, the disc has all around its outer edge a groove. Given how, with time, ivory darkens on its own, the disc has an old, honey-coloured patina and lovely old crackling (especially on the smooth underside). Good traces of usage and an early original repair (a tear at the edge that has been locally glued). Today, even among the Mursi, or the Surma, lip discs are barely to be found. DM: 6.7 cm; 1.5 cm thick. First third of the 20th century. (ME) ASA

Provenance: Acquired many years ago from a traveller to south-eastern Ethiopia. Currently: Austrian Private Collection.

additional image:
A Mursi woman with lower lip disc. In the valley of the Omo River, South Ethiopia
Photo from: “AFRICA. Musica y arte” by Elena Martinez-Jacquet & David Serra