Still-Life: May 2012

Nagapali Beach: Myanmar

The perfect end to a great trip.

4 days on Nagapali Beach.

Sand, seafood and saltwater.

Inle Lake: Shan State: Myanmar

Inle Lake is located in Nyaung Shwe township in the Shan state. It is the second largest lake in Myanmar and one of the the highest. The people that live on the lake are called Intha they established four main cities around the lake. There are now many more smaller villages that line the lake and while it is large, it is having a hard time sustaining its ecosystem due to the population growth and the growth in tourism.

Inle Lake is known for the Intha people who row their boats with one leg.. floating gardens... a 5 day rotating market that circles the lake... lotus root and silk weaving... silversmiths.. ironwork....handicrafts.. It is remarkable.

Bamboo Forest: Inle Lake

Walking through the bamboo forest in late afternoon everyone is walking to the river to bathe.

Lovely light through the trees.

Kayan People: Paduang: Inle Lake:

The Kayan are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic minority group of Myanmar. They are also called the Paduang, which is a local Shan Term. Inle Lake is located in the Shan State of Myanmar.

The brass coils are placed around a girls neck starting around age five. Coils are replaced with longer coils and the weight pushes the collar bone down and creates the illusion of a stretched neck. There are a few different theories as to why and how this began including; less attractive to other tribes, protect women from becoming slaves, resemblance to dragons (dragons are very important in Burmese folklore), and to protect them from tiger bites.

There is a family living in Inle Lake and they are weaving on their backstrap looms.. making an income and sending it back to their family. From what I understood.. many tourists want to see them but most of these areas are not open to travel.. and many Kayan have fled to the Thai border as refugees.

These women have come to here to the lake. where tourists visit to weave and answer questions about their fascinating culture. I hope in time it doesn't become even more exploited...

Lovely women. Lovely product.