This month, an Australian film crew lead by cinematographer Abrahem Joffe stumbled upon the world's largest lip disk in the remote valleys of southern Ethiopia.
Joffe told Daily Mail the crew were filming a documentary series for Canon Australia when they found the incredible sight.
'We were taking a tour with some of the local guides. When they spotted the woman, they were absolutely bewildered.
'I'm a big reader of Guinness World Records, and I figured it was out of the ordinary, but you know you've found something special when the locals are amazed.'
Ataye Eligidagne, 20, dons the largest lip disc in the world. The hardened clay disc is 59.5 cm in circumference and 19.5 cm in diameter
The discs are a tradition dating back further than 1896, and a way of attracting a husband amongst the the Surma woman of the lower Omo Rover valley in Ethipoia
The procedure of preparing to wear the discs, which also involves knocking out the bottom two teeth, is done at the age of 15-18
Ataye Eligidagne, 20, dons the largest lip disk in the world. At a whopping 59.5 cm in circumference and 19.5 cm in diameter, it's over twice the size of the average disk.
The previous example of the largest disk in the Guinness Book of Records was 15cm in diameter.
Lip disks are a long-running tradition amongst the Surma woman of the lower Omo Rover valley in Ethipoia.
There is evidence of woman wearing the disks in this region from 1896. The procedure, which also involves knocking out the bottom two teeth, is done at the age of 15-18.
In recent times, the Ethiopian government has taken measures to ban the discs, and the frequency amongst the younger generations is reportedly dwindling.
The disks carry a multifaceted significance. They are intended to attract a husbands well as a dowry for the family of the wife, who provide a contingent of cattle respective to the size of the disc.
'I think that locally, it's a matter of pride. The larger the disk more impressive. Young people try to outdo each other all over the world.'
Eligidagne, who has been stretching her lips for three years since the initial piercing, said it was not painful at all and there weren't any adverse affects from wearing the disc
In recent times, the Ethiopian government has taken measures to ban the discs, and the frequency amongst the younger generations is reportedly dwindling
The previous example of the largest disk in the Guinness Book of Records was 15cm in diameter, making Eligidagne by far the largest of it's kind in the world
Joffe asked for their guides to translate for the woman so he could interview her, but the guides were not fluent in Mursi, the local dialect, so they had to use a local warrior to translate for the guide
The discs are intended to attract a husband, as well as a dowry for the family of the wife, who are given a contingent of cattle respective to the size of the disc
+10
When asked if her daughter would adhere to the tradition, Eligidagne said she would respect her daughters decision
Eligidagne has been stretching her lips for three years since the initial piercing.
The process also involved the removal of bottom two front teeth.
Joffe asked for their guides to translate for the woman so he could interview her, but the guides were not fluent in Mursi, the local dialect, so they had to use a local warrior to translate for the guide.
'During the interview, we offered her some Coka-Cola. It was a fascinating, because she had clearly never tasted anything like it.'
'Ataye poured it onto her tongue with the disk in place, and suddenly had this stunned expression. It was incredible.'
Joffe asked if there were any hurdles that come with such an unusual tradition.
'She said it was not painful at all and there weren't any adverse affects.'
But Eligidagne acknowledged that the discs may not be around forever.
'When we asked her if her daughter would adhere to the tradition, she said wasn't sure her daughter will see it the same way, and she would respect her daughters decision on whether or not to do it.'
We Love Seeing Your Comments!
Get Socialized SHEAR! For More Updates Add Up BBM:327B820D, FOLLOW ON TWITTER -----» @antwowfisher
Post a Comment
DROP YOUR COMMENT