

x ORNAMENTS FOR THE EARS AND LIPS 123 



prevent it from slipping out. Sometimes the ends 



of the reeds are fitted into a piece of leather which 



lies in the depression under the rim of the helix. 



Occasionally the reeds are 



adorned with coloured 



heads. A fairly common 



ornament for the helix is 



a piece of silver beaten flat 



like a leaf. It is made 



from a Maria Theresa 



dollar. This coin formerly 



circulated freely in Africa. 



The Wa-Kikuyu also 

 distend the lobe of the ear 

 like the Masai and fit into 

 it a cylinder of wood, a 

 can, or a gallipot. Objects 

 of this kind are usually 

 seen in the ears of men. 

 The women prefer to fill 

 the holes in their ears 

 with large rings made of 

 small beads threaded on 

 wire. These bead rings 

 are not only used in the 

 large hole made in the 

 lobe, but the women often 

 have a long slit made 

 through the concha, and 

 rings of beads are fitted 

 into it. 



It would be reasonably 

 anticipated, in view of the 

 great trouble, inconveni- 

 ence, and, no doubt, some 



i_ i up i j The Masai Ear-ring ('surutya). No 



physical suffering involved Masai elder is 6 a ii owe d to wear 



in transforming the lobe this ornament unless he has 



f , -i -i children who have been circum- 



OI tne ear into a rubber- cised and become warriors. 



