Myanmar

As you lay back, trying not to wince or distort your face in any way, the Sayamah once again dips her implement in the ink.
You are being tattooed like many before you, but you know the pain will be worth it if only you can get through the whole procedure. When the tattoo is complete you will enjoy a great status among your friends, neighbours and clan. You will have the ultimate in beauty.
The Sayamah lifts the cluster of thorns from the inkpot and instructs you to hold your face still. As the blood runs down your face and mixes with tears, the Sayamah tap-tap-taps the thorns into your raw cheek.
The blood runs further down your face and drips off your jaw while you hold your face still, and focus on anything but the pain. You think of many things, anything, until you run out of things to remember and you are back in the present, back in the pain.
You run out of things to remember.

After all, you are only seven years old.

Photos by Jens Uwe Parkitny