Marilyn Thipthorpe
Living deep in the mountains of Chin State in western Myanmar are groups of tribal women for whom facial tattoos are a sign of beauty.
When a Chin girl reaches puberty, aged between 12 and 14, she is considered old enough to be tattooed – symbolism of entering adult life.
The tattoos are made using thorn needles and the ink is made from soot, cow bile, plants and pig fat.
This extraordinary custom began in the eleventh century when young maiden girls tattooed themselves, disfiguring their faces to protect them from slavery or being captured by the ruling king.
However, as more young women are refusing to join the practice due to the heavy fines imposed by the military dictatorship, the tradition is disappearing.