Myanmar (Burma)

For centuries, the people of Myanmar have embellished their faces with thanaka, a thick paste crafted from ground tree bark, offering both cosmetic and medicinal benefits (sunscreen). Beyond this ancient practice, golden-marked cheeks and face are considered stylish.

I found myself captivated by various Burmese traditions including a unique practice wherein men are called upon to serve twice in their lives—first as novices and later as fully ordained monks. Following their period of monastic dedication, they seamlessly transition back into the rhythm of everyday life. For women, the journey takes a different form. In Myanmar, a distinctive group is known as the 'pink monks,' encompassing girls and women aged ten and beyond. Cloaked in light pink robes and with shaven heads, they symbolize a unique facet of Myanmar's spiritual life.