Holiday Ayo - The tradition of pointy teeth is a sign of beauty in Mentawai. This tradition is usually enforced when women reach maturity.

This tradition will be scraping or be sharpening teeth in women.

To scrape a tooth takes approximately 30 minutes. There are 23 teeth of Mentawai women that must be scraped.

The process of sharpening 23 teeth takes quite a long time. This process is also quite painful. However, to look more beautiful, women in the Mentawai tribe must carry out this tradition.

In addition, this tradition also signifies that Mentawai women who will carry out the dental Kerik tradition are considered adults.

However, now this tradition is no longer an obligation carried out by women in Mentawai. Those who still carry out this tradition are the wives of people who are respected in the Mentawai community.

The tradition of sharpening teeth is usually done when a Mentawai woman is about to get married. Apart from being a symbol of beauty, this tradition has a much deeper meaning than just beauty.

Mentawai women have a hereditary belief that by sharpening their teeth, their body and soul can be kept in balance.

The Mentawai people believe that humans have two forms that will not perish. The form consists of a spirit and a body. If they don't like their physical appearance, they will get diseases.

Therefore, adult Mentawai women must sharpen their teeth so that they feel beautiful and their souls always live long and happy.

Although the process of grinding teeth is painful, there is a message that Mentawai women get from this tradition. Every pain suffered will take him in the process of maturation and self-discovery.

This traditional process of pointed teeth can not be done by just anyone. This procession can only be done by the traditional leader of the Mentawai Tribe. The tool used is a tool made of wood or iron that has been sharpened until it is sharp.

When the traditional leader begins the procession of sharpening teeth, the traditional leader performs the process of sharpening 1 tooth for about 30 minutes without a break.

The teeth will be pointed like canines. To withstand the pain during the tooth extraction process, women from the Mentawai Tribe usually bite a banana that is still raw and hard.

After completing the 1 tooth extraction, the woman who had her teeth scraped was not given time to rest for long. They can only sigh and continue the procession on the next gear.