The Apatani people in Asia use nose plugs which act as a deterent for women to be kidnapped. This tradition is no longer used on young women, therefore it is only the older generation that can be seen with nose plugs. The older women can also be seen with a grey line down the face and across the chin area.
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| Apatani women with nose plugs. Viewed 15/10/14 |
Tooth Modification - Japan
Tooth modification is a popular practise in Japan with many young brides coating their teeth in black wax before she enters her marital home. The black teeth wax is also used in brothels so has become highly sexualised. People in Vietnam also carry out this concept, blackening their teeth from a seed that has been chewed. In Japan the Empress stopped the idea of making the teeth black when she was seen with natural white teeth. The practise marks a womens coming of age and shows that she is ready for marriage. The wax acts as a protector for the enamel so is a form of oral hygiene.
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| Example of black teeth in Japan. Viewed 15/10/14 |
Teeth sharpening is also very common in Asia. The front teeth are sharpened into a fang like shape. It is believed that this will bring balance to the body and soul keeping the spirits away. The natural tooth is seen as a bad omen. It is also believed that the teeth are the gateway to this world.
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| Example of sharpened teeth. Viewed 15/10/14 |
The most well known body modification procedure in Asia is foot binding. This is where the foot is broken and wrapped up repeatedly until the foot is small enough to fit into the desirable shoe of China. The China government banned this practise.
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| Foot binding in China. Viewed 15/10/14 |
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