1. Chin State is one of the poorest and most isolated regions in Burma.
2. Nearly 75% of its 500,000 population live a life of poverty and are mostly cut off from the more successful Burmese regimes in Rangoon or Naypyidaw.
3. There are reports of up to 12 Chin tribes that practice the art of facial tattooing, even after the Burmese government officially forbade it in 1960.
4. Local understanding is that Chin State tribes began tattooing the faces of women as a way of disfiguring their beauty.
5. Although there is also an old legend of a Burmese king who kidnapped a beautiful Chin girl and made her his wife.
6. Many women report the process occurring as young as 12 years old and lasting almost three days.
7. The tattooing ranges from solid lines.
8. To dots and small circles.
9. And a combination of both.
10. It is a tradition that has continued through centuries and wars.
11. And one that will probably continue into the foreseeable future.
