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A sight towards future...


A sight towards future...
Photo Information
Copyright: Luca Belis (Mistral) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 580 W: 69 N: 1817] (11959)
Genre: People
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-11-23
Categories: Daily Life
Camera: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 12-24mm f/4G DX ED-IF
Exposure: f/4, 1/30 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2006-12-10 14:28
Viewed: 799
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Htan Awi welcomed me
with an open smile
she lives on slopes of the green hills
in the Chin state.

In the workshop I posted a closer portrait of Htan Awi.

On the south of Chin state there are different tribal Chin clans: the Chinbon, Chinbok and Layhtoo Chin with three different kinds of facial tattoos. This tattooing tradition started centuries ago, when Chin tribes started tattooing the girl's face to avoid them from be captured as slave by the men from other tribespeople.
Nowadays only elder women are still tattooed.
______________

Chin is one of the ethnic groups in Myanmar (formerly Burma). The Chins are found mainly in western part of Burma (the Chin State) and numbered circa 1.5 million. They also live in nearby Indian states of Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur and Assam. Owing to Mizo influence and Baptist missionaries' intervention, 80%-90% of the population are Christians. However, a sizeable minority of the Chin adhere to their traditional tribal beliefs, as well as to Theravada Buddhism and, as Bnei Menashe, to Judaism.
…
The Chin are one of the largest ethnic minority groups in Burma. The Chin people are Tibeto-Burman groups and they probably came to Burma, especially the Chindwin valley in the late 9-10 century A.D. Most Chin people moved westward and they probably settled in the present Chin State around A.D 1300-1400 A.D. The original meaning of "Chin" is clearly unclear, even though many scholars have proposed many different theories.
…
Traditionally, the Chin were animists. However, during the era of European imperialism, many converted to Christianity. It would also be noteworthy that because of the current situation in Myanmar hundreds of Chins [Zo] are scattered in Europe, the United States, Southeast Asia.

from Wikipedia
AmiBe, Paolo, nicol_g, vincz, lasscor, Floydian, SamB, Bien, brevbrev14, shirgold, devimeuxbe, albertopiubello, everlasting, hlaingwinnhtun has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • AmiBe Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2066 W: 370 N: 1681] (19512)
  • [2006-12-10 14:40]

Hi Luca,
what a coincidence, I posted my first Chin state picture tonight ;)
Nice picture, I like to see inside the house and the shy woman inside it.
rgs

  • Great 
  • Paolo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4704 W: 146 N: 9096] (40013)
  • [2006-12-10 14:53]

Ciao Luca, bel ritratto di questa anzinano signore, ottimi colori e ottima luce.
ciao.

Luca: wonderful 'double' portrait. The coy figure in the background really makes this shot work, and the subtle inclusion of the Burmese script is a fine environmental bonus. This is an emotional picture for sure. regards, c - p.s., it's amazing that this same tradition of self-defacement prevails in other parts of the world for the same reason - to make the women less attractive to hostile tribes. Here a post of mine from Orissa:

http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/photo321551.htm

Hi Luca,
I like much your composition. Maybe it would have been even more impactful getting the old woman a bit lower and closer in the foreground, especially as you mentioned about the tattooing tradition and I see it playing an important role in your story. Really well captured the "peeking" young girl in the background. Good work!
Best wishes.

Hi Luca,
Wonderful composition.
Amazing tottooing tradition.
Beautiful double portrait, beautiful contrast and face to face between the two generations.
TFS,
Corinne

Hi Luca,
A very intriging picture. Fantastic compostion and taken in great light. Sharpness and colour toning are excellent...perfect work..!!!
Regards, Henk

Olá Luca
Retrato bastante expressivo, fisionomia marcante desta senhora. Bom registro Luca.
Gosto da textura das paredes e as cores são ótimas. Parabéns.
Grande abraço,
Vera.

  • Great 
  • SamB Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 494 W: 58 N: 418] (1944)
  • [2006-12-11 1:02]

Hello, Luca--

It's good to see you back, and this is a great shot to return with. The interplay between the elderly lady and the younger lady is great, showing, in a way, the departure of many of the old traditions, but retaining respect for them.

Thanks!
sam

  • Great 
  • dzain Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 46 W: 15 N: 60] (585)
  • [2006-12-11 2:01]

What a great compo! Love the way that old woman looks to the shy one inside.

  • Great 
  • Bien Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 502 W: 50 N: 953] (4703)
  • [2006-12-11 2:48]

Ciao Lucca, Welcome back! I'm glad you're home as I can't wait to see your new posts. I hope you enjoyed your time in that oh so special country!
A fantastic first post from a state I haven't been able to visit (yet). Outstanding composition with the lady's head turned slightly, but not too much so we can still discover her face and that that young face glancing from behind the door is simply wonderful. The fire from the kitchen situates this picture so well - sublime detail. I think I would have enjoyed a little less light on this beautiful woman, but I'm not bothered by it one bit to enjoy this master shot! Sabine

ciao Luca, meravigliosa questa immagine!
la posizione della donna più anziana e il tuo taglio sono stupendi, e meravigliosa soprattutto la ragazza dietro la porta!
che coposizione superba!
ciao!
Valeria

  • Great 
  • vincz Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2997 W: 85 N: 5051] (17520)
  • [2006-12-11 3:35]

I just noticed the tatoos very similar to the ones shown in the picture from AmiBe that I commented a few hours ago. Then I read the note, then Pascal's comment. Indeed they were coming from the same region. You shot is very well composed with the other room inside with the fire and the 2 women turning towards each other.

Hi Luca
i am still in yangoon and i see at your picture. You are probably back in Italy. Wonderfull portrait in the chin country. I also have been last week in this place just before climbing the Victoria mount. Beautifull countrt and so smiling people.
Congratulation for this great picture. I like the atmosphere and the beautifull light.
I will be back in 2 days.
Have a nice day
Bertrand

Ciao Luca,
sembra che siamo in sintonia con lo sguardo sul futuro: ho avuto la stessa ispirazione questa settimana!
Bella foto, nitida, con bei colori e con uno sguardo profondissimo. Bello anche lo sguardo della ragazza.
Alberto

Hi Luca, nice to see you posting from Burma.(or are you home already?) We get not only a glimpse into you travels but also here a wonderful glimpse in a Chin house. A great compostion, Luca nice light revelaing the details of the house and fire with good colour-tones.

good pictur!

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