African tribe where Lip plate holds sway

Despite civilization and technological advancement, many cultures in the deep heart of Africa haven't been swayed by this development. They have continue to maintain their identity  over the years and are not willing wield to the current trend of human Civilization and 21st century globalization.
One of such tribes is the Surma people of southeastern Ethiopia.Surma is a collective term for three ethnic groups — Chai, Timaga, and Suri Baale.

Background of Lip plates.



During the slave trade, the Surma started using the lip disks to disfigure themselves so that the Arab slave traders would not take them away. Over time, the practise became a sign of beauty and hence it remaining in their culture. The valley is really hot and so clothing is really optional. so instead of beautifying themselves with the latest fashion brands, the children especially, beautify themselves with clay and chalk paintings which they apply at the riverside. This is their fashion statement, their independence and also their expression to others. 

The Suri are found on the western edge of the Omo Valley in Ethiopia, about 20km from the Sudanese border.

Religion and belief
The Suri have a sky god named Tumu. The Suri also believe in spirits and take recourse to (female) diviners as well. Another belief of the Suri is in rainmaking. This skill is passed down through heredity and is only given to one male in specific clans. 
Piercing lips and lobes and inserting lip plates are a strong part of the Suri culture. At puberty most young women have their lower teeth removed in order to get their lower lip pierced.

 Once the lip is pierced, it is then stretched and lip plates of increasing size are then placed in the hole of the piercing. Having a lip plate is a sign of female beauty and appropriateness; a common thought is that the bigger the plate, the more cattle the woman is 'worth' for her bride price.

Ways of life


Each household in the Suri village is managed by a married woman. The women prepare the food, take care of the children, and cultivate their own fields and gardens, and are allowed to use their profits however they wish. There are also age grades. Young men (Tegay) are the 'warrior grade', not yet fully responsible adults. They are mainly responsible for herding and defending the cattle. Junior elders (Rora) are the dominant decision-making age-grade and entrance is gained in an initiation ritual that is held every 20 to 30 years. During this initiation the young men to be 'promoted' are tried and tested by elders, and are sometimes whipped until they bleed. Decisions in the Suri community are made by men in an assembly. Women are not allowed to voice their opinions during these debates but are allowed to do so before or after the debates take place. These debates are closed and summed up by the community’s ritual chief (the komoru).


Stick Fighting:
The young people or warriors usually participate in stick fighting.It is a ceremony that do result in blood spurting injuries.


Food:
The main crop is Sorghum drought,heat torrent grain  which the women serves as  a thick porridge.They also grow maize,beans and cowpeas.

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