for pride and for protection
Traditionally, a Burmese man with tatoos over his chests, thighs and arms is seen as very manly. Also, some wear special charmed tatoos which are thought to give protection from evil spirits, weapons and curses. And Burmese man are proud of their tatoos. Nowadays, there are people who still follow the tradition but the number is lower than it was in the past.
A historical note: In 1930, a man by the name of Saya San led an uprising against the occupying British. He offered his followers 'bullet-proof vests' -- charmed tatoos over their chests -- for protection against the bullets of the British while fighting with only swords and spears.
The process of getting a tatoo still involves a lot of pain. More importantly, people do not realise that it is extremely dangerous to have a tatoo done like this. Some cases of HIV infection in Burma originate from the raw needles of tatoo-guns.
While this man was proud to be photographed, the tatoo maker wasn't impressed; he probably thought I was intefering with his work. So I had to dash.
for pride and for protection
Traditionally, a Burmese man with tatoos over his chests, thighs and arms is seen as very manly. Also, some wear special charmed tatoos which are thought to give protection from evil spirits, weapons and curses. And Burmese man are proud of their tatoos. Nowadays, there are people who still follow the tradition but the number is lower than it was in the past.
A historical note: In 1930, a man by the name of Saya San led an uprising against the occupying British. He offered his followers 'bullet-proof vests' -- charmed tatoos over their chests -- for protection against the bullets of the British while fighting with only swords and spears.
The process of getting a tatoo still involves a lot of pain. More importantly, people do not realise that it is extremely dangerous to have a tatoo done like this. Some cases of HIV infection in Burma originate from the raw needles of tatoo-guns.
While this man was proud to be photographed, the tatoo maker wasn't impressed; he probably thought I was intefering with his work. So I had to dash.