kaltaisevat

Kaltaisevat refers to light tan or caramel-colored regions on the pigmented lips of the Kalapalo people, an indigenous group inhabiting the Xingu National Park in Brazil. The phenomenon is often mistaken for a naturally occurring condition, but it is, in fact, an artistic and cultural practice that holds significant importance among the Kalapalo.

The Kalapalo create these colorful designs on their lips using substances like powders and pigments, typically over the course of several years. The colors can range from very light to almost dark brown. The art of modifying one's lips is an essential expression of Kalapalo identity and culture, allowing individuals to convey information about their social status, maturity level, and even their marital status.

For Kalapalo women, particularly, these designs often symbolize marital status, with different hues and patterns conveying different messages about the wearer's relationships. The tanning of the lips is first started as a mark of adultship for young mothers, before it may then alter into more advanced stages displaying higher multiples of marriage and loyalty. The lip designs can also signify important life events, such as the death of a close family member or the marriage of a child.