| Abstrakt: |
The article discusses efforts by the Ethiopian government to force Mun (Mursi) women to abandon the cultural tradition of wearing lip plates in their lower lip. The practice of wearing lip-plates is discussed within the context of the Mun's practice of body painting, which the author argues provides a unique connection to the environment for the Mun people. She asserts that the Mun's earth-centered habitus, as evidenced by body painting, can also explain the importance of wearing lip-plates. It is concluded that efforts to modernize the Mun's practices without understanding this habitus could lead to potentially harmful consequences for the Mun culture and people. |
