African Lip Plates
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
African Lip Plates
Africans with lip plates (pelele), part of a circus, which was about to travel to London. Date: 1930s
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Media ID 8193519
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10152604
Africans Circus Pelele Plates Racial
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a moment in time during the 1930s, as a group of African women, adorned with lip plates known as pelele, prepare to join a traveling circus bound for London. The women, hailing from the Mursi and Surma tribes in Ethiopia, are a testament to the rich cultural diversity that once graced the big top. The lip plates, made from clay or wood, were a symbol of beauty and maturity among these tribes. The size of the plate was often indicative of a woman's marital status and wealth. In this image, we see a range of plate sizes, from small to large, reflecting the women's various stages of life. The circus, a popular form of entertainment during the 1930s, provided a platform for people from all corners of the world to showcase their unique talents and traditions. The inclusion of these African women and their distinctive lip plates was likely intended to draw crowds and generate curiosity. However, it is important to note that the context in which these women were presented was not always respectful or authentic. The circus circuit during this era was known for exploiting people of color and perpetuating racial stereotypes. The women in this photograph may have been paid little to no wages, and their cultural practices were often sensationalized or trivialized for the amusement of predominantly white audiences. Despite these challenges, the photograph serves as a powerful reminder of the global connections and exchanges that characterized the early 20th century. It also highlights the resilience and adaptability of these women, who continued to proudly display their cultural traditions in the face of adversity.
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