Mursi Bracelet Fighting

Women in Mursi participate in bracelet fighting, ula. Bracelet fighting helps the village evaluate the strength in women. The weapon used in bracelet fighting is made from a rod of iron. Bracelet fighting is a symbol of strength because only strong women are able to throw the heavy rod of iron (Turton, 2005). Married women do not participate in ula. Only Unmarried young girls are allowed to participate in bracelet fighting. Bracelet fighting is an important in Mersi culture. Bracelet fighting reflects a young girl skills and strengths in becoming a wife and mother.
Religion and healing are linked together in the Mursi Culture. Mursi believe in a greater force than themselves. The greater force they speak of is called Tumwi and lives in the sky (Joseph, 2015). Tumwi often manifest itself as “ahi a tumwin, which translate to a thing in the sky such as a rainbow or bird (Joseph, 2015). Mursi believes in animism and monotheism. They
They spend a lot of time on their appearance. Traditionally, the Mursi use body modifications as decorations to the body. They decorate their ears, lips, hair, and below the neck through scarification and painting. They view their body a canvas and self-expression. Since they live in isolation they do not have access to art material such as body paints, and brushes. They use natural resources found on the land and their fingers as a paintbrush. Mursi use body painting for many different reasons, to celebrate new life, rituals, ceremonies and during fights. Painting their bodies is a form of surface design. Surface design is a process of dressing which can be temporary or permanent (Eicher, 2015). They use various colors to designate their role in the village, ward of evil and sickness, attract the opposite gender, and rituals (Lily, 2015). Body painting starts at a young age, many mothers would paint their babies as a celebration of new life and