Cultural Body Modifications of the Maasai

The Maasai believe that canine that stick out in front of their other teeth bring very bad luck to the whole tribe. 

If we don't take them out in the clinic when they request it then an elder in their tribe will do it with no anesthetic and a non sterile knife.

Maasai, for cultural reasons, have their two lower central incisors removed.  This was a patient that already had his removed.  However on occasion we have seen patients who have requested we remove the incisors for them.  Again if it isn't done here it will be done by the tribe elder.

The piercing and stretching of earlobes is common among the Maasai. Various materials have been used to both pierce and stretch the lobes, including thorns for piercing, twigs, bundles of twigs, stones, the cross section of elephant tusks and empty film canisters.

A lot of the time they tie them in knots.