The land that women tattooed over the face

Formerly the girls in Chin State, Myanmar tattooed face to not to be enslaved for kings but now these tattoos are seen as a measure of their beauty.
Mount Victoria is the highest peak in the state of Chin, and is homeland of the Dai  and Munn ethnic group. They have the same characteristics as the ink tattoo on their face and see it as a sign of beauty.

These are photographs by Italian photographer Marco Giovanelli shoot at Victoria Mount , western Myanmar about a  specific tribe that all women tattooed  over her face.

Currently, you can only see the tattoos on face of the oldster in the area. Munn women who have series of small circular tattoo  is arranged as half a moon from cheek to neck.

Photographer Marco said: " Now culture tattooed face is being lost gradually. But I still meet two girls, although there is a lot of pressure, they still  tattooed face to preserve traditional culture  ".

Upon entering puberty (about 12-14 years old), a girl in Chin State will be tattooed face and started for the life of the adult.

The tattoos are made of needles and ink made from soot, cow bile, some plants and lard. There are women tattooed full-face but others may just tattoo some basic contours.

This particular tradition began in the 11th century, when the maidens tattooed themselves, change the face so as not to become slaves or cruel kings arrest.

Photographer Marco said: "According to legend, a king of  are often caught women in slave and to combat this, they tattooed to face become ugly . Currently, the tattoo is a symbol of the  beautiful women and proud because have them before men ".

"I always remember the saying 'only when our eyes see the soul rather than the body, the new concept of beauty to be different than'. I also met many women are kind, generous and friendly in Chin state, Myanmar ", photographer Italy share.

Many women here still wear traditional costumes, they often appeared on camera with a pipe in her hand.

Marco Giovanelli find out  the woman's face tattooed in January 3/2016. Finding them has changed his thought about "beauty".The younger generation no longer perform this particular custom due to be banned and heavy fines.