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Here in the remote Sumatran archipelago, a people called the Mentawaians conjured up ideals of beauty that are more than skin deep.

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For them, beauty is a matter of maintaining balance between body and soul.

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At the dawn of time, according to legend, the Mentawaians split into spirits and humans.

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But humans will rejoin the spirit world if their souls are not happy.

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A soul not pleased with its body will leave, causing the person to die.

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Permanent decorations such as tattoos are one way to beautify the body and keep the

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spirit from wandering.

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But a rarer and equally painful practice is tooth filing.

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Pilongi is a young mother and wife of the village chief.

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In the old days, she would have endured tooth filing at puberty.

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But the same outside influences that brought t-shirts and cigarettes to the tribe diluted

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Manawian customs, which once even included head honey.

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Today, the tooth filing rite of passage is optional, at least for some.

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In Pulangi's case, her husband had a lot to do with her decision.

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He's the acting village chief and in line for the permanent position.

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He's thinking a more beautiful wife would be more in keeping with his new stature.

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I asked her to do it and I'm sure that she will be more beautiful afterwards.

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I don't know what to expect, but when they do it, I will just let them sharpen my teeth.

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In the morning, the Mentawaiyan villagers gather with anticipation at the Uma, or communal

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house, to witness the rare tooth-filing ritual.

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For Palangi, fear and excitement blend into a day she'll never forget.

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I am not worried about the pain.

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If I think about that, I won't get more beauty.

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As his clan feasts, the shaman sharpens his tools for the main event.

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When the chisel gets sharp, it will be less painful for the person who is getting their teeth vile,

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and it will be an easier job for me as well.

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For outsiders, using crude implements for dental surgery and without anesthetic would be out of the question.

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The procedure will also damage Polongi's teeth, shortening their life.

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The shaman's aim is true, although he's only performed tooth filing once before.

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With the spirits guiding his hand, the task is soon completed.

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Polongi bites on green bananas to dull the pain.

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Relieved and happy, she shows off her beautiful new smile.

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Now that my teeth are sharp, I look more beautiful for my husband, so he won't leave me.

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Maybe when she's tired of me, she will get a new husband, now that she's beautiful.

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Now the chief has a wife worthy of his new stature.

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And as for Pulangi, she's happy with her new adornment.

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Her soul is back in balance, and here among the Mentawaians, that's what matters most.