Piercing is a ritual that has been practiced world wide for thousands of years. Many people pierce themselves for many different reasons. Some people believe that it will help them become accepted while others believe it will enhance their beauty. People also pierce themselves for their religious beliefs and because of cultural practices.
Piercing was practiced in ancient times. The Romans believed that ear lobe piercing showed how wealthy and how high of a social status you had. Thaipusam festival is a festival where Chinese people pierce themselves to show that they believe in the gods. The women pierce their cheeks and men put hooks in there back and they walk about three miles to the Thendayuthapani Temple. They do this to be accepted by others in their culture so that in other peoples eyes they will be accepted.
Tongue piercing was very common for the Mayans and Aztecs. They performed them as a ritual for their gods. They also believed that it made them more sexually appealing to the opposite sex. Women in Africa who were members of the Makololo tribe would adorn themselves by wearing plates in their upper lip. These plates called Pelele would ”excite” the men in their tribe.
Many different cultures would have the male genitals pierced. There are many different reasons for this piercings. Some did it to keep the slaves from having sex or erections. They would also pierce males horizontally with a ampallang through the head of the penis. This was said to bring more pleasure to both sexually partners. This piercing would take over six months to heal.
People also pierce themselves to get more attention. The more pierces a girl or boy has the more looks they will recieve. People think that piercings such as naval, ears, and lips rings will enhance their beauty. People will do whatever it takes to be excepted even if that means piercing themselves and putting themselves through pain.
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