The Surma, also known as the Suri, are an ethnic group living in southwestern Ethiopia, near the Omo River Valley. One of their most striking cultural expressions is body painting, which has profound aesthetic, social, and spiritual significance.Surma paintings are made with clay, chalk, charcoal, and natural pigments mixed with water or animal fat. They are applied directly to the skin with fingers, branches, or feathers, creating abstract designs, lines, dots, and geometric figures. #inspirati

64K views · 546 reactions | Surma women's body painting consists of artistic designs made with white clay, ochre, charcoal, and plants. These designs are applied to adorn the body, express personal creativity, and are used in ceremonies and celebrations. The body often features lines, dots, and natural motifs, transforming it into a living art form that reflects their cultural identity. #inspirationofafrica | Quim Fàbregas - Fotografía y Viajes. | Facebook

Surma women are known for their body and face painting, created with clay, chalk, and natural pigments. They decorate their bodies with flowers, leaves, seeds, and branches, creating ephemeral compositions that change daily. Their aesthetic highlights harmony with nature, originality, and the strength of each woman. Many young women also wear lip plates, a traditional symbol of maturity and prestige within the community. #fblifestyletyle #inspirationofafrica | Quim Fàbregas

1K views · 30K reactions | Surma Tribe Ethiopia #Ethiopia #africa #culture #travelgram #travelblogger #VisitEthiopia #LandOfOrigins #goethiopiatours #omovalleyguideethiopia | Solomon Gezu | Facebook

The Surma (or Suri) women of Ethiopia are renowned for their cultural practice of inserting lip plates into their lower lips. These plates, known as "dhebi a tugoin," are clay or wooden discs placed in a piercing made in the lower lip. The tradition involves young women having their lip pierced, followed by the progressive insertion of larger discs as the wound heals. #inspirationafrica | Quim Fàbregas

Why do the Surma people utilize lip plates? The Surma people, particularly the Suri sub-tribe, are well-known for their use of lip plates as a type of body decorations. Lip plating, also known as lip stretching, is the process of inserting increasingly bigger clay or wooden plates into the lower lip. This practice is traditionally regarded as a rite of passage in Suri culture and is significant for various reasons: Lip plates have cultural significance in the Suri culture as a symbol of beauty a

1.7M views · 7.1K reactions | Surma women adorn themselves by wearing lip plates (discs of clay or wood) on their lower lip. This ornament symbolizes maturity and social status, and is considered a sign of beauty and cultural pride in their community. #inspirationofafrica | Quim Fàbregas - Fotografía y Viajes. | Facebook