When boys of the Shan tribe undergo the ritual “Poi Sang Long”, the focal point lies in, what in the Western world would be described as, “feminine values”. They are dressed up in bright colours and adorned with make-up. The aim is to mimic the young Prince Siddhartha before he became Lord Buddha. Even though the purpose of the ritual is to show that the boys are on their way to become mature and responsible men, it is loaded with aesthetic values and free from any physical trials. This is what sets it apart from other typical male rituals. By Ken Bamberg
