120 
EASTERN ETHIOPIA 
X 
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 
l)ecdmes 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. 
