Near Pak Ou : Kammu (Khmu') men--tattoos

Photographer

Halpern, Joel M. (Joel Martin), 1929-

Date

• 1957

Summary

• These men have raised their pantlegs in order to better display their tattoos. There are a number of reasons for Kammu to have tattoos. One motivation is that this display enhances the prestige of the individual. Another reason is that the tattoo confers protection from spirits who might "devour" a person. The tattoo is regarded as a poison to the spirits (personal communication, Damrong Tayanin, Co-Director, Kammu Research Project, University of Lund, May 10, 2005).