Mursi territory of around 2,000 km2 lies in the South Omo, close to the border with South Sudan. According to the 2007 national census, there are 7,500 Mursi. They herd cattle and grow crops along the banks of the Omo River. Due to the climate, they move twice a year between the winter and summer months.
Women from the Mursi and Surma tribes traditionally wear lip plates, which start as small piercings and are gradually expanded. Currently, lip plates are not obligatory for girls of the tribes, so not everyone has one; it is a matter of personal choice.
There are several competing theories as to why lip plates are used, but it seems that none can be fully confirmed. One theory states that the size of their lip plate used to indicate the number of cattle paid as the bride price, while others claim that lip plates signify female beauty, strength, and self-esteem.
Jinka region, Ethiopia February 16, 2024