In 

History Repeats Itself…, Jolique touched on a practice used by the Egyptians known as cranial
alteration, in which the skull, at infancy, is molded into an elongated, oval shape. This practice, though
dying out, can still be found in remote areas of Africa and Central America where the oval shaped-head is
considered graceful and beautiful. The effect is achieved at an early age—an infant’s cranium, while it is
still soft and malleable, is bound with bandages and wood in order to elongate and lengthen its shape.
Although many of these body-altering techniques still exist, some, such as rib-removal and cranial
alteration, have faded due to political pressure from local and national governments.  

One of the more well-known body-altering practices, now illegal in China, is footbinding. In certain areas
of China, possessing a small dainty foot was long considered a highly attractive feature for women. But
what a price to pay for beauty! In Julian Robinson’s book, The Quest for Human Beauty, he discusses this
long and painful tradition in which young girls and their parents visited the local footbinder, who would use
bandages to raise the instep of their feet in order to shorten their length. The foot would remain bound
with straps in order to keep the instep in place, and eventually, over several years, the foot would become
permanently deformed, and the desired effect—the famous “golden lotus foot”—achieved. This practice
was still practiced in China as late as the 20th century.

Above:  The coiled anklets of Asian Bre women. Early 20th century photo. (1)

Another interesting beauty phenomenon is the tradition of “neck stretching” (for lack of a better term) seen
in Southeast Asia. The women of the Karenni people in Myanmar (a.k.a. Burma) may still be found
practicing this unusual ritual. Though it is now illegal in many areas, the Karenni women stretch the length
of their necks by wearing tall, coiled necklaces, up to 18 inches high, made of gold. A process that
obviously takes many years, the resulting effect is that of a long, swan-like neck that would put any prima
ballerina to shame!

The practice is also known among the Padaung of Burma. According to one source, the coiled necklaces
may once have served as a form of protection. Ger Daniëls explains:

It is said that men invented this as protection of the throat from tiger attack for women working in the fields
or in the forest; for, such attacks could lead to the extinction of the entire tribe. Actually, these rings
indicate beauty and wealth. The tribe owes its name to the ornament:  pa-daung means 'long necks.' To
take the rings off the woman's neck might cause her death, since the neck is no longer strong enough to
support the head. If, however, a woman betrays her husband with another man, the husband may insist
on taking off the rings as punishment.

In Guyana (South America), the Wauwai people practice a form of “body swelling” that would inspire a
boa constrictor. The Wauwai bind their young girls’ legs below the knee in order to create a swelled calf,
an attribute considered highly attractive. Similar practices are seen in Asia and Africa, such as that
performed by the Dinka people of southern Sudan. Using tightly-coiled gold and silver wire similar to the
coiled necklaces worn by the Karenni, the Dinka wrap bracelets around their arms and legs so tightly that
the flesh swells around the coils. In addition, Dinka men wear ultra-tight corsets of beads that cause their
buttocks to swell in a manner that emphasizes their thin waists. The corsets also carry special symbolism
—the color of the beads indicates the wearer’s age and status. Red and black colors are worn by 15 to
25-year olds, while yellow is favored by those over 30. The corsets can fetch a high price if traded—one
corset may trade for a head of cattle!

Another popular beauty tradition seen throughout Africa, South America, and even among some Eskimo
groups, is the use of ear and lip plugs. Made of ivory, metal or bone, the plugs are inserted into the lobes
or lips, often causing those areas of skin to stretch to rather striking proportions. Some believe that lip
plugs evolved as a device to ward off evil spirits, much in the same way that the Ainu people of northern
Japan tattoo the area around their mouths (see Scars of Beauty…). In other cases, the plug serves as the
distinguishing characteristic of a particular group—a form of cultural identity. Of course, they are also
symbols of beauty—the bigger the plug, the more beautiful you are. In this case, I guess
size  does matter.

Bibliography:

Boucher, Francois, 20,000 Years of Fashion: The History of Costume and Personal AdornmentHarry N.
Abrams, Inc., Publishers, New York, 1965.

Cohen, David, ed., The Circle of Life: Rituals from the Human Family Album, Harper San Francisco, San
Francisco, 1991.

Daniëls, Ger. Folk Jewelry of the World. New York: Rizzoli International Publications, Inc., 1989.

Davidson, Basil, African Kingdoms, Time-Life Books, Alexandria, VA, 1966.

Fisher, Angela, Africa Adorned, Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Publishers, New York, 1984.

Jackson, Beverly, Splendid Slippers: A Thousand Years of an Erotic Tradition, Ten Speed Press,
Berkeley, CA 1997.

Kennett, Frances, Ethnic Dress, Facts on File, New York, 1994.

Levi-Strauss, Claude, The Savage Mind, Weidenfeld and Nicolson Ltd., London, 1962.

Morris, Desmond, The Naked Ape, Dell Publishing Co., New York, 1967.

Robinson, Julian, The Quest for Human Beauty: An Illustrated History, W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.,
New York, 1998.

Unknown, The Secret Museum of Mankind, Manhattan House, New York, date unk.

Photo Credits:

(1) Unknown, The Secret Museum of Mankind, Manhattan House, New York, date unk.

Top Ten Weirdest Beauty Rituals

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Posted on January 9th, 2008

They say that cleanliness is next to godliness. With cleanliness also comes vanity. We buy beauty products because

we are vain. We want to look good and feel good about ourselves. We want to be the best that we can possibly be.

But how far will you go to be beautiful?

Here are ten of the weirdest beauty rituals practiced today:

Top 10: Doctor Fish Foot Treatment

Pidgeons in the park

What do Japanese women apply to their skin to have fair and blemish-free complexion? Even before the modern

technology of microdermabrasion was invented, Japanese women have been using natural skin care products.

Believe it or not, they apply fish and bird droppings on their face to keep it smooth and clear. This Geisha beauty

ritual has been passed on to future generations and is currently offered in high-end spas in Japan.

Fish can also be used for foot treatment. Here’s the "catch": you just have to sit back and relax as hundreds of small

fish called Gara Rufa eat up your feet. They get rid of your dead foot skin cells as they nibble the flaky bits in just 15

minutes.

Top 9: Dead Sea Salt Treatment

 
 A portrait of the beautiful Cleopatra

Did you know that Cleopatra seduced Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony? She did it by flashing her healthy glowing

skin. Her secret lies in using dead sea salt. This practice may be considered weird today since many people opt to

use facial creams and wrinkle-reducing ointments. However, this cleansing and detoxifying substance has been used

throughout the ages.

Dead sea salt lies at around 400 meters below sea level and belongs to the Syrian and East African Rift Valley.

Containing more minerals than ordinary sea salt, it can get rid of stress, slow the aging process, and strengthen

nails and bones.

Top 8: Nightingale Dropping Facial

A nightingale resting on a tree branch

Also popularized by Kabuki actors and geishas, this treatment uses nightingale droppings as vital facial ingredients

for lightening your skin. In earlier times, this was used as makeup. Today, this weird facial treatment is available in

London salons for £135. Expensive as it is, you will leave the salon with a smooth and clean feeling that is also odor-

less.

What makes nightingale droppings effective is enzyme guanine. It heals your skin and bleaches it at the same time.

Even monks have taken advantage of this for their exposed scalps. Can’t bear it? Just imagine it as a shampoo,

though slimier at that.

Top 7: Ancient Chinese Acne Remedy

 
 A girl stretching her thighs

You won’t need Proactiv or your trusty Neutrogena acne wash ever again. You just need a little bit of flexibility to do

this ancient Chinese acne remedy. This method can bring back the balance in your hormones, as acne is mainly

caused by stress and bad diet that disrupt your body’s hormonal state.

Here are the steps:

First, stand with your legs shoulder width apart. Raise your arms in front of you and interlock your fingers.

Then, inhale and raise your hands over to your head. With your back bent slightly backward, exhale as you turn your

body from right to left. Use your hips to do this.

You should then inhale again and repeat with the starting position. Do eight repetitions.

Top 6: Caviar Facials

7 different types of caviars

Caviar does not only go well with sandwiches. Yes, you can also apply it on your face. Caviar is a delicacy made from

salted and processed fish eggs from, for example, sturgeon. It was common in Russian feasts and was the favorite of

czars.

 
Today, it has found a new and entertaining use. In many spas in America, caviar facials are in demand. This

treatment costs around $185 and lasts for 90 minutes. They use the frozen and dried caviar from Switzerland.

According to skin specialists, this kind of face lift can fight aging, lessen wrinkles and make you look younger.

Top 5: Snake Massage

A baby corn snake

Massages aren’t supposed to be stressful. You want it to relaxing, soft and soothing, don’t you? But what if a snake is

used to massage your body? Pay only $70 for a one-of-a-kind snake massage. A masseur will work on you, but along

with six snakes slithering across your whole body.

Before you fret and scream, you should know that they are actually not poisonous and they surely won’t bite you.

What they provide you is simply your wish—the tingling and soothing feeling you want in a massage. They can

soothe your joints and give therapeutic effects. Examples of snakes used are corn snakes, milk snakes, and Florida

king snakes.

Top 4: Butt Facial

A relaxing massage

It’s butt time! If you are working in an office and you sit and stare at your computer all day long, your butt will surely

be the most abused part of your body. Be kind to your behind and have a butt facial.

This type of facial may seem weird to many as most parlors do not offer such service. However, in many spas located

in Miami, Los Angeles and New York, butt facials are one of their most popular services. For just $650 to $800, you
can enjoy an hour of butt work to make your behind tight and smooth. You can also get it scrubbed to heal acne or

cellulite. This can be paired with microdermabrasion for a more polished feel.

With a tighter and smoother butt, you won’t be afraid to wear your cute bikini again. Face cheeks are not the only

cheeks that need care.

Top 3: Pubic Hair Coloring

A Betty Beauty pubic hair dye

Ever heard of pubic hair coloring? A brand of hair dyes called Betty Beauty is currently very popular because of this

innovative product fit only for your private areas. Some women go for pubic hair coloring in order to match their newly

dyed hair. Other people, meanwhile, just want to try all the fashion fads and personal grooming stuff they can.

This brand offers colors in blonde, brown, black, hot pink and auburn. Now, why would someone want to color his or

her pubic hair —-something that is always covered and unexposed? The answers vary but should you decide to try

this weird fad, make sure that the product that you use does not hurt the skin around your sensitive area.

Top 2: Bull Semen Conditioner

An Aberdeen Angus bull

Bad hair days can ruin your mood. Are you ready for an odd solution for it? Throw out your conditioners, ginseng

shampoos and hair setters. Instead, go for bull semen conditioner! This “Viagra for the hair” usually costs around £85

in London. It is composed of the semen of an Aberdeen Angus Bull plus extracts from Katera, a kind of Iranian plant.
 

The bull semen can add shine and strength to your hair. You just have to massage it into your scalp and leave it for

about 30 minutes, before rinsing. Don’t worry, it’s odorless!

Top 1: Chinese Feet Binding

A photo of a bound foot from a chinese woman

Perhaps, this is one reason why woman today are thankful that they weren’t born during ancient times, especially in

China. This weird and absurd beauty ritual punished the feet of women during earlier times.

This custom, which originated during the 10th or 11th century, was said to be more common among rich women.

Aside from being a beauty statement, foot binding was also been a social status symbol. Today, this practice is

considered barbaric, and the negative effect it has on women’s feet is understood.

Women with bound feet found it difficult to walk, sit, squat or work in the fields. Compared to women who have

normal feet, their bone density is lower in their spine and hip. This means more risk for dangerous fractures.

If you are a real beauty fanatic who isn’t afraid to try anything for beauty’s sake, hurry to your nearest parlor and try

any of these weird services. Some people will do anything all in the name of beauty!