I2O 



EASTERN ETHIOPIA 



It would be thought that the ears of these people 

 are larger than those of other men and women, but this 

 is not the case ; indeed, Captain S. L. Hinde, who lived 

 among these people in an official capacity for many 

 months, states that the ear of the Masai when left to 

 itself is small and of good shape. 



An examination of some of these enormous ring-like 

 lobes shows that the tissue forming the loop undergoes 



hypertrophy during the dilating 

 process. When the lobe has been 

 stretched to its utmost capacity it 

 becomes the receptacle of many 

 strange things, such as plugs of 

 wood, rings of horn or of ebony ; 

 occasionally a can or a gallipot 

 will be found in it. The ear-lobe 

 of the women is also dilated, and 

 they wear a curious earring, as 

 well as a necklace made of iron 

 wire. These coils of iron wire 

 resemble the firework known as 

 a Catherine-wheel. Such ear 

 ornaments, known as 'surutya, 

 are fastened to the lobe by means 

 of a strap of leather with a kauri 

 shell fixed to it. 



In addition to the lobe, the 

 helix is also adorned with orna- 

 ments of various kinds. In some 

 the ornaments are thrust into 



holes made in the rim of the ear, or the concha may be 

 slit below the rim of the helix. The helix is perhaps 

 more freely used by the Wa-Kikuyu than the Masai. 



A superficial examination is sufficient to indicate that 

 ornamented ears possess some social or tribal signifi- 

 cance. This is indeed the case. Hollis has collected 

 some valuable information on this matter. Women 

 wear necklaces of iron and ear-rings ('surutya) in order 



The Ear of a Masai. The 



lobe is pierced and 



gradually dilated until 



it resembles a ring of 



indiarubber. 



