Kellabit woman portrait – Barrio, Kellabit Highlands, Borneo, Malaysia

This picture has been taken in Barrio on the Malaysian side of island. Traditionally all the tribes members in the area were used to have big ear piercing. It was sign of strength and power but not reserved to men. With the arrival of modernity and Christianity this tradition is now much less common but some of the oldest still wear their ear jewels for special events. Most of them although have cut their long ear skin that was considered unpractical for daily life.