Women are expected to wear her lip-plate in several occasions, such as when she sets her husband’s garchu (basket for carrying sorghum porridge) or kedem (gourd containing coffee, sour milk or boiled leaves). In such occasions, a woman who has not had her lip cut or fails to wear her lip-plate is said to become vulnerable in the presence of men. Hence it is criticised that she will serve her husband in haste as she feels uncomfortable and self-conscious without a lip-plate. Thus, she is deemed to lack the grace associated with womanhood-to be calm, quiet, hardworking and above all, proud.