If you thought you had big lips, then you better abandon that evil thought because Ataye Eligidagne is here to prove you wrong.
Ataye Eligidagne had the largest lip plate measuring 19.5cm (7.7) in 2014. Coming from the Surma tribe, Ataye previously held this record at 15 cm, but she exceeded it by 4.5 cm.
The extraordinary woman was photographed by Australian film-maker Abraham Joffe, with the photo featuring in the #Guiness World Record 2022 book.
For the Surma people of Southern Ethiopia, wearing lip plates is not only significant in terms of decoration but also financially.
The process of inserting these plates (made by the women themselves from local clay, which are then coloured with ochre and charcoal and fire-baked) begins approximately a year before marriage and the final size indicates the number of cattle required by the girl’s family from her future husband for her hand.
For example, a plate measuring 15 cm (6 in) in diameter – the previous record holder – would require a payment of 50 cattle.
According to the Guinness World Record, the practice of inserting large, circular clay plates behind the lower lips of the women is seen as a sign of true beauty.
At puberty, the lip is stretched with a clay plate, and the size increased incrementally. A girl’s goal is to reach a plate the size of a teacup saucer, or bigger, before she is married.
Thus, Ataye Eligidagne may just be one of the luckiest women because of her ability to insert the largest plate on her lips.
Being unique in her own way, Ataye Eligidagne attracted mixed reactions from different people as follows:
“Unique is beautiful…. These days people and cultures are getting similar and they call themselves beautiful. No, that’s madness. Ethiopia has plenty of cultures, around 82 nationalities, in which this beautiful lady is in one of the nationalities. There are also breathtaking festivals in each culture. If you got some time, I suggest all of you to come and visit, beautiful Ethiopia.”
“I dont think this pic is real as if the plate is actually in her lips, is her lips cut apart from her mouth? As i am able to see her necklace through it.”
“This one even to give one cow I a disaster even if am given her for free I will decline… It’s not good at all-“
“This isn’t a funny thing. In their culture this is a sign of identity and status. Their lifestyles aren’t like ours. Stop pretending your preferences are the standard of the human condition.”
“Well, it’s not that different from having a tunnel piercing in the ear, right? Also looks weird but has in some way become popular even in our culture up here.”
“If she was born that way with that thing in his lap he would be blaming God for it. Disgusting and ridiculous.”
“It will be a great kiss if she was my girlfriend”
“My Ethiopia …. Its the south part of Ethiopia. Surmas have many cultural view. I respect the culture but I don’t sea the beauty in this plus it doesn’t make any sense, it needs to be updated..”
“Please stop endorsing these kinds of customs of degrading women. Especially this reputable publication can do better.”
“Yes it’s a wow and it’s amazing how this can be done but…..why would anyone wanna do this to your own mouth? Lol ouch! It’s definitely difficult for sure”
“What i am seeing is , just what am seeing and not my opinion is – everything is unconditionally accepted as long as its a tradition…..no questions further…..”
“So the plate size pretty much symbolizes how many cattle she can be bought for? Am i understanding this correctly? Considering this begins at puberity and a year before marriage, i cant imagine that these girls have a choice in this. And is this ‘tradition’ performed in a medical environment, or is it done similarly to fgm (with unhigenic blades by an elder of the village/tribe?) If this is the case, why is Guinness World Records awarding this like its a good thing? Or am I missing something here? Please correct me if im wrong (which i hope i am).”
“I am from north west of Ethiopia ,there is no such culture around our region .this is my country culture, this may be a source of tourism income because it is amusing and takes attention for those who looks it. But it is not fair!!!!!!Because ; first it is painful for the reason done with out anesthetics and conducted with traditional cosmetic doctors who uses materials for common even with out sterilizing. And finally the part of human being serve as source of income even with zero contribution. I respects those human being and their history but this is male practice against lip of women’s and ladies’ even difficult for kissing♥”
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