Here is a very unique item to add to your collection of African cultural items!  This an authentic clay lip plate from the Surma tribe of Ethiopia.  Such lip plates are a traditional form of body modification worn by Surma (Suri or Mursi) women.  This lip pate is likely vinage and has several large and small chip to the clay.  See photos.  It measures approximately 4 1/2 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch thick.  

The Surma tribe is the last tribe in Africa to continue to wear these lip plates, although many teenage girls are choosing to drop the tradition.  These lip plates originally may have been used to cause women to be less desirable to slave traders, but now are considered beautiful and can represent femininity, fertility, or social status.  Larger lip plates are more desirable and can increase a woman's value for a dowry.  

  • This was brought back from the field by a missionary who served in Ethiopia.

    It was donated to the "Missionary Bazaar' of the New Wilmington Mission Conference in PA to raise funds to send more missionaries into service.  The Missionary Bazaar closed its doors, but all items left that are sold will continue to raise funds to support missionaries who go to the ends of the earth to serve the Lord!  

    Thanks for looking and have a blessed day!  :-)