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The piercing of the septum is probably the second most common piercing among primitive
peoples after ear piercing, it's even more common than nostril piercing. It's
probably so popular for the same reasons as nose piercing, with the added attraction
that the piercing can be stretched and large pieces of jewellery can be inserted,
i.e. pig's tusks, pieces of bone, feathers, pieces of wood, etc.
The septum piercing is particularly prevalent among warrior cultures, this
probably has to do with the fact that large tusks through the septum give the
face a fierce appearance. The use of septum tusks is very prevalent in Irian
Jaya, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, pig's tusks being the most popular.
Among the Asmat tribe of Irian Jaya the most prestigous septum tusk is the "Otsj"
this is a large bone plug, which can be as thick as 25mm. They are usually made
of the leg bones of a pig, but occasionally they are made from the Tibia bone
of an enemy slain in battle.
The Septum piercing was beloved by the Aztecs, the Mayans, and the Incas. They
wore a variety of jewellery, but jade and gold were the most popular because
of their religous associations. The modern day Cuna Indians of Panama continue
this practice by wearing thick pure gold rings in their septum.
The piercing is also popular in India, Nepal, and Tibet, a pendant "Bulak"
is worn, and some examples are so large as to prevent the person being able
to eat, the jewellery has to be lifted up during meals. In Rajasthan in Himachal
Pradesh these Bulak are particularly elaborate, and extremely large.
Septum piercing was widely practised by many North American Indian tribes,
the name of the Nez Perc, tribe of Washington state, stem from their practice
of piercing the septum, Nez Perc, is French for Nose Pierced, and was given
to the tribe by the French fur traders. Australian aboriginals pierced the septum
and passed a long stick or bone through the piercing to flatten the nose, they
believed a flat nose to be the most desireable.
Among the Bundi tribe of the Bismarck Ranges of Papua New Guinea the piercing
is performed using the thin end of the Sweet Potato plant (Ogai Iriva), usually
at age 18-22. The age at which the piercing is done varies greatly between different
tribes, some tribes perform the rite at age 9-10.
"You were lost in the bush and now you have come back. You have come back
mature; you are men. When you return to your hamlet many girls will come after
you. But if you have lived well, and if they come after you, all the well. You
will now have your noses pierced to allow you to sing with girls and lead a
life like that of your elders. Your (Kangi Poroi) caused you to go to all this
trouble, now it will be over."
Source: Address by tribal elder to young men undergoing the (Kangi Poroi) manhood
ritual. Source: Field notes of David G. Fitzpatrick 1977 in "Bundi, the
culture of Papua New Guinea people" Ryebuck Publications, Nerang Queensland
Australia 1983
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