Kaang Chin Woman artwork

This Kaang Chin woman wears the colors of the Kaang Chin, proudly displays her very large earrings, and is laden with dozens of necklaces. She is standing in front of the Kaang Chin decorative poles and cut palm branches set for a great feast called a “Yusock.” The cattle-like animals behind her are called “Mythun” and will soon be slaughtered as a part of this great traditional feast. The Mythun and the Chin people’s special relationship with this animal, which only lives in this part of the world, is at the very heart of this people’s culture.

This elderly woman’s face is covered in a tattoo indicative of the beautiful women of Chin State. The tradition of face-tattooing is said to have developed as a way to disfigure the faces of the women who would otherwise be taken captive and forced to marry foreign invaders.