Exploring Chin villages

The Chin people make up about 2% of the population of Myanmar. They are of Tibeto-Burman origin and live in the mountains of Chin State in western Myanmar, close to the border with Bangladesh. Getting to this part of the country is a five hour drive from Bagan and a 3 or 4 day excursion into the region around Kanpetlet and Mindat will allow you to explore a number of Chin villages in which you will almost certainly come across a variety of tattooed ladies. Facial tattooing was a tradition for Chin womenfolk practiced over the last two centuries but which was banned by the government in the 1960s due to the painful, and dangerous, method of tattooing. As you explore the villages in Chin State you will encounter different Chin tribes such as Uppriu, Ngagah, Muun, Yin Duu, Dai and the Magan. All these tribes have different dialects, different tribal dress and different facial tattoo patterns making for a fascinating experience, but an experience that has a shelf life due to the age of these tattooed ladies.   

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