Pointy teeth as a Symbol of beauty for Mentawai People
Definition of beauty may vary. If in West Africa, a woman with a black gums spelled gorgeous. pointy teeth became a symbol of beauty in some parts of Indonesia. Call it the Mentawai tribe in Sumatra.
The inland tribes inhabiting the four major islands of Sumatra, the Siberut, North Pagai, South Pagai, and Sipora. They generally live in villages located near river banks or beaches. In addition to the art of tattooing the body (commonly called titi), Mentawai tribe likes to sharpen dental practice to beautify the appearance, especially for the mayor's wife.
As the wife of the most powerful men in the village, the mayor's wife is required to perform this procedure. In addition to beautify themselves, sharpen teeth tradition meant to maintain the balance between body and soul.
"My wife asked me to do it and I'm sure she will look more beautiful," said one of the Mentawai village chief in National Geographic documentation.
Pilongi, the wife of the village chief, initially avoiding ritual sharpened teeth. However, in order to please her husband, she was then doing. Certainly there is a feeling of nervousness when they undergo the ritual. After seeing the results, Pilongi feel satisfied and not necessarily just forget the pain that she felt.
However, as well as other unique traditions in the world, ritual tattooing and sharpened teeth are now beginning to be abandoned by the Mentawai people. The influence of the outside world to be the main reason for the erosion of the ancestral culture of the Mentawai. Before extinct, let us preserve the heritage of this nation.
Adapted from Merdeka
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