You creatively captured the images of these people of Surma and of the surrounding Southern Ethiopia with intensity, with the most unique intimate reflection of each individual's characteristics in full clear view. However, It’s nice to know the story behind the women with the plate in their lips, prompts me to want to know what is going on in this particular part of the world in Southern Ethiopia , which not knowing makes it very hard for me to accept, such a custom.
After watching the documentary program on Nat Geo and on Green (5/31/2011), about these people of the Surma Tribe and I was saddened to see how primitive they still are. I honestly think these women of Surma or Suri have very attractive features especially looking from a woman point view. Their skin, eyes, teeth and smile is so uniquely perfect before the act of lip piercing and stretching with wood and clay plates. One female spoke of the tremendous pain and time it takes for these young girls to stretch and mutilate themselves, only for some of the men to say, they do not want them, if the lip splits and break open.
Thankfully, I was also elated to hear that the country's government is trying to intervene and change the way they view some of these customs and ancient ideologies. Some younger girls are already rejecting the lip piercing and doing alternative beauty regiments that isn’t permanent or requires piercings or the destroying of their lips or teeth. I hope they get through to more women and in time, and I'm sure the new generation of these women of these tribes will be thankful for it later.
