Mursi lip Plates

Carved hardwood with metal or bone inlay

Lip plates are worn by Mursi women of Ethiopia’s Lower Omo Valley as part of a long-standing cultural tradition associated with adulthood, identity, and social status. Inserted into the lower lip after it is gradually stretched, the plates become important markers of beauty, maturity, and cultural belonging. The size and decoration of the plate may reflect personal expression and family pride, and the practice remains a powerful symbol of Mursi cultural heritage.

Each plate is hand-carved from hardwood into a circular form and decorated with geometric inlay patterns using small pieces of metal or bone. The designs vary from simple central openings to more complex cross motifs, demonstrating individual craftsmanship and aesthetic variation within the tradition.