Many women in the village outside Tulgit have lip plates although the tradition is dying and is most often found in remote villages. The origin of lip plate tradition is debated, but most likely it was simply for adornment. An early National Geographic Magazine article said lip plates were a way for villagers to deform themselves so they wouldn’t get caught up in slaving raids, but that theory has been debunked. Most agree that the lip plates are staying in fashion now because it is a prime tool for getting photographed and making some money from tourists.
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