What Is a Lip Plate?
The lip plate (or dhebi a tugoin, in the Mursi language) is a circular disc made of clay or wood that is inserted into a pierced and stretched lower lip—traditionally worn by young Mursi women as part of their transition into adulthood.
When and Why Is It Worn?
Typically, a girl’s lower lip is pierced by her mother or female relative around the age of 15 or 16, shortly before marriage. Over time, increasingly larger plates are inserted to stretch the lip. The process is voluntary and symbolic, marking a girl’s readiness for womanhood, marriage, and social standing.
Contrary to outsider belief, the lip plate is not forced or painful in the way some assume. It is embraced as a source of pride, beauty, and resilience, much like a cultural tattoo or a rite of passage.
Cultural Meanings
While the exact origin is debated, the practice likely developed as a symbol of:
• Fertility and maturity
• Status and identity within the tribe
• Cultural resistance to external influences
Each woman chooses whether or not to wear the plate in daily life. Many Mursi women today still proudly display them during festivals, dances, and ceremonies, or when receiving guests.
Misunderstood by the World
The Mursi lip plate has been both admired and sensationalized by outsiders. While it’s often used as a visual symbol of African tribal culture, it’s important to remember that for the Mursi, it represents something much deeper than decoration—it is a form of cultural self-expression, female strength, and community belonging.
As a responsible visitor, it’s essential to ask permission before taking photos, and to approach the tradition with respect and curiosity rather than judgment.
Experience Mursi Culture with Omo Region Tours
At Omo Region Tours, we organize respectful, local-led visits to Mursi villages in Mago National Park, allowing you to engage with the community, learn about their traditions firsthand, and support sustainable tourism that benefits the tribe directly.
Want to meet the Mursi in person and learn their stories?Contact us to start customizing your Omo Valley itinerary today. Park officials.
