lip plug

A lip plug, also known as a labret, is an ornament inserted into the lips to alter their shape. These objects, often ring-shaped, have been used for decoration by various cultures.

In South America, indigenous peoples historically wore lip plugs made from materials like stone, gold, or rock crystal. Parts of Africa, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and along the Nile, also saw the use of large plates and plugs inserted into the lips. Similarly, the Botocudo people of South America used enormous plates and plugs. The Nilotic peoples of Uganda, Kenya, and South Sudan utilized smaller lip studs and pins, typically crafted from ivory, rock crystal, or stone. The Haida Indians of British Columbia created intricately designed lip rings from wood, often inlaid with abalone shell.1