In the West, we have a very fixed idea of what beauty comprises. To have a chance of being considered beautiful, women must be slim, youthful and have long hair. Things are very different in other countries and cultures though. It might surprise you just how different …
1. Long Necks
Photo Credit: grebberg
For the Pa Dong tribe, who live along the Thai/Burmese border, beauty is a long, long neck. This effect is produced by circling the neck with brass rings, starting at the age of 6, and gradually adding more and more. The only time they are removed is on the girl’s wedding night.
2. Blue Tattoo
Photo Credit: shimmertje
Tattoos are common around the world. For Maori women in New Zealand, the tattoos are placed on their lips and chins. The ultimate beauty is to have full blue lips.
3. Scars
Photo Credit: witoldosko
Scars are considered ugly in the west, but for Karo girls in southern Ethiopia it will help them get a husband. As young girls, the skin on their stomach is cut to create scars, and when they have enough they are considered ready for marriage.
Anyone interested should watch Jessica Simpson’s Price of Beauty. I only saw a couple of episodes but it’s actually not that bad. She travels around the world to different countries reporting on different perceptions of beauty.
I think it’s on Vh1…I might be wrong, though.
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OMG this was on an oprah show!(:
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#6..ouch..
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a very interesting article.. and also insane ! what happens to the women of Pa Dong tribe neck’s when they take the rings off on their wedding night.. surely such long necks can support themmselves and will just ‘flop’ ?
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Some of these look seriously painful! I’ve seen a few on Nat Geo’s Taboo. I also remember this one tribe where girls breasts are not allowed to grow too big. So they use a hot metal/ wooden rod to flatten it out or something along those lines. Ouch!
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Hi Alison,
#7 -’Teeth Filing…well, it isn’t actually hurt as it may sound LOL I’m a Balinese. It’s Balinese culture to do the teeth filing..this apply to men and women.It’s been for centuries.It will be done in a special ceremony/occasion only – kinda religous thing instead of beauty thing, you know. The priest will just uhm sort of rubbing the file to the teeth – that’s it. A symbol that they actually have their teeth filed. I havent had mine done but I’ve seen a lots of people including my family.
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WOW ………… thanks for letting me know how paiful it can be to look beautiful! and I thought putting make up and keeping up with fashion is tough!
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