Chin Woman Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

At one time, a few decades ago, women of the Chin State had their tattooed their faces when they reached the age of 11 or 12.

The traditional pattern was a spider web which covered the entire face including the eyelids.

This was supposedly done to make the young girls less attractive to raiding Rakhaing men.

This practice was abandoned sometime after WWII and now one sees only older women with tattoos.

Irina75, orme, japiey, berseph has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Irina75 (1516) 2007-04-15 1:07

Interesting story and well done portrait,
Regards.

ribeiroantonio (21905) 2007-04-15 3:14

This is incredible and sad. The women must have suffered a lot with this kind of mutilation, physically and mentally. I am glad they abandoned the practice and they recognize it was not nice. I hope so. The portrait is excellent in sharpness and colour. Well done.
Antonio

orme (6746) 2007-04-15 4:18

Excellent detail and clarity in this shot, Bob.
Very well framed.
The 'spider's web' is incredible, but I find myself drawn to the bridge of her nose, where the lines of the tattoo seem to have been eraser. I wonder if she wore glasses and if years of wearing glasses can erase a tattoo.
Very interesting portrait and story. Well done.

ralph (276) 2007-04-15 7:15

Great,well taken.
Nico

japiey (9493) 2007-04-15 7:51

Hi Bob.
This is interesting. The image is a fine portrait and the notes very useful. congrats.

jean paul

dvlazar (6476) 2007-04-15 8:27

This is fasctinating - what a capture.
I love how youve got in so close to show so much detail.
Great work,
Dave

berseph (1758) 2007-04-29 16:03

Interesting Bob; I had never heard of such a practice. Such a shame, as I'm sure that was very painful, but quite interesting none the less. Thanks for sharing.