September 10, 2011
Most of us are guilty when it comes to paying the cost for vanity. Some people get hair transplants, face lifts, Botox to take out the wrinkles and even injections to plump up those lips. What if you had to endure the pain of having 
your teeth chiseled away with a rock and knife one by one to be considered a beauty? There are some people in the world that do just that. Teeth chiseling is common amongst many tribal groups. The process usually consists of a chiseler that steadily taps a rock against the hilt of a blade as the person who takes the force of the chiseling lays with their head tilted back and endures the chipping away of teeth without anything to numb the pain. Even though doing this will shorten the life of the teeth this act is still valued as a source of physical enhancement.
One particular group of people that follow this ritual is the Mentawai tribe on the Siberut Island in Sumatra, Indonesia. 
It is mainly something the women go through. It is peoples belief that women are more gorgeous if their teeth are chiseled into fine piranha-like points. And to them anything that makes the body more pleasing and beautiful means that a good balance between the body and soul will be maintained. In past times, this ritual would have been done to a female during puberty. If the female is over the age of puberty and the husband were to insist that his wife go through this process then the wife would grant his wish without hesitation. 
But today, like in most societies, certain traditions fade with the change of time. Today, it is not expected of the females to follow this ritual. Unless there is an extraordinary reason as to where beauty will be a winning factor, teeth sharpening is now optional. For example, if a member of the tribe is running for council, for an edge up on the competition he would want his wife to look her best and be absolutely stunning. So to help out with that getting her teeth sharpened could improve his chances. And she will be more than willing because she loves her husband and wants him to succeed. Aaah the things love will make you do. What lengths would you go through? Would you be willing to do the same for your mate?
INFO FOUND FROM: National Geographic, Huffpost World, Listverse