Travel the off-beat path of Western Myanmar! It´s where you find the Tribal Tattooed women.
Places like Mindat and Mrauk U are often less appealing to visitors. Like seriously! You can´t think of gathering the true essence of Myanmar if you hesitate to step out of the comforts of the Golden Triangle- Yangon, Bagan and Inle Lake. The off-beat paths are where the real gems are.
The Chin woman are famed for their elaborate full-facial tattooes. The origin of this feminine tradition is obscure. Today, there are only a handful woman left with the spider-web design tattoes beacuse this ancient Chin (of beauty & tribal identification) culture dies out about 60 years ago as it became illegal. The younger womnan choosing to opt out the custom is another reason.
There are various folklores attatched to it, one of which claims that the tattoo tradition was used to make the women more desirable in order to find a rich husband. It is always fascinating to hear out their stories and sipping tea with them while they play a flute-like instrument with their nose.
Mrauk U is a 20 hour local bus ride from any of the 3 major cities. Mindat is nearer (6-12 hours from Bagan). Nonetheless, once you reach, you´ll see how the adventure was totally worth it. Both Mindat (west of Mandalay) and Mrauk U have a common draw- Tribal Tattooed Women.
Word of advice: Always remember your manners if you want to photograph these beautiful women!
