20 February 2018

Favoring Bangkok's Chinatown

Bangkok's Chinatown is one of the largest Chinatowns in the world. It was founded in 1782 CE when the city was established as the capital of the Rattanakosin Kingdom, and served as the home of the mainly Teochew immigrant Chinese population, who soon became the city's dominant ethnic group. The core of Chinatown lies along Yaowarat Road, which serves as its main artery and sometimes lends its name to the entire area, which is often referred to as Yaowarat. Originally a wilderness area outside the city walls, Chinatown grew to become Bangkok's commercial hub throughout the late 19th to early 20th centuries, but has since declined in prominence as commercial activity moved elsewhere following the city's expansion. It now serves as a hub of Chinese culture and religion, with atmospheric temples, busy markets, historic shop houses, exotic stores selling traditional Chinese goods, and hundreds of unique Chinese eateries.

The Chinese New Year brings one of the most exhilarating celebrations to the Chinatown of Bangkok. The entire length of Yaowarat Road comes to life with crowds of worshipers, exploding firecrackers, dragon dancers, lion dancers and Thai families of Chinese descent who gather to partake in the street fanfare as well as enjoy sumptuous Chinese banquets: xīn nián kuài lè...

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; pearl earrings; character; head; face; eyes; catchlights; eyelashes; eyebrows; beautiful eyes; lips; lipstick; earrings; facial expression; eye contact; hat; broad-brimmed; fashion; cheongsam; red; gold; chinese dress; consent; culture; lifestyle; beauty; affluence; style; chinese new year; temple; traditional; cultural; festival; worshiper; kwang tung shrine; chinatown; bangkok; thailand; thai chinese; one person; female; adult; mature; woman; eye makeup; image; photo; backdrop; face perception; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; 4x3; horizontal; street; portrait; closeup; head shot; three-quarter view; outdoor; color; posing; posing for camera; authentic; smiling; beautiful; elegant; groomed; sophisticated; classy; thai smile; gorgeous

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; cheongsam; head; tilted head; face; forehead; lantern; eyes; teeth; lips; mouth; facial expression; eye contact; hair; parting hair; red; chinese dress; consent; emotion; fun; travel; culture; lifestyle; enjoyment; beauty; traditional; cultural; festival; celebration; chinese new year; chinatown; bangkok; thailand; thai chinese; one person; female; mature; woman; image; photo; background; face perception; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; 4x3; horizontal; street; portrait; closeup; head shot; cropped; three-quarter view; yaowarat; outdoor; color; colorful; posing; posing for camera; authentic; smiling; laughing; feeling good; beautiful; attractive; experienced; happy; cheerful; joyous; captivating; charming; fabulous

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; cheongsam; character; head; face; eyes; catchlights; facial expression; eye contact; hair; long hair; hat; bush hat; chinese dress; red; gold; costume; fashion; broad brimmed; body language; gesture; hand; consent; rapport; fun; travel; tourism; culture; lifestyle; beauty; tradition; traditional; style; urban; cultural; festival; celebration; chinese new year; yaowarat; chinatown; bangkok; thailand; thai chinese; one person; female; mature; woman; image; photo; background; face perception; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; 4x3; horizontal; street; portrait; closeup; head shot; outdoor; color; posing; posing for camera; smiling; beautiful; attractive; cheerful; joyous; classy; fabulous

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; shoulder; tattoo; head; face; makeup; eyes; beautiful eyes; scrutinizing eyes; mouth; lips; lipstick; facial expression; eye contact; hair; long hair; parting hair; red; consent; emotion; culture; lifestyle; beauty; fashion; style; urban; cultural; chinatown; bangkok; thailand; asia; thai; asian; one person; female; adult; girl; young; woman; photography; image; photo; face perception; physiognomy; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; 4x3; horizontal; street; portrait; closeup; head shot; seven-eighths view; sideways glance; outdoor; color; posing; posing for camera; authentic; smiling; beautiful; groomed; attractive; happy; sensual; pretty; stunning; angelic; captivating; fabulous; gorgeous

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; cheongsam; yellow; character; head; face; makeup; eyes; laughing eyes; mouth; teeth; lips; lipstick; facial expression; eye contact; earrings; hair; hairstyle; consent; fun; travel; culture; lifestyle; beauty; fashion; chinese new year; urban; cultural; chinatown; bangkok; thailand; thai chinese; one person; female; male; man; woman; sexual ambiguity; transgender; genderqeer; ladyboy; shemale; ambiguity; uncertainty; tolerance; cross-dresser; lgbt; image; photo; backdrop; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; 4x3; horizontal; street; portrait; closeup; head shot; seven-eighths view; outdoor; color; posing; authentic; smiling; beautiful; handsome; elegant; classy; gorgeous; charming



Happy New Year, I wish you good health and lasting prosperity.
恭贺新禧,祝身体健康、事业发达。
Gōnghè xīnxǐ, zhù shēntǐ jiànkāng, shìyè fādá.

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; character; head; face; eyes; catchlights; eyebrows; laughing eyes; mouth; teeth; lips; lipstick; facial expression; eye contact; hair; hairstyle; food; chinese; restaurant; eatery; consent; fun; travel; culture; lifestyle; prosperity; abundance; vitality; traditional; cultural; celebration; chinese new year; chinatown; bangkok; thailand; thai; one person; female; adult; girl; young; woman; image; photo; background; face perception; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; 4x3; horizontal; street; portrait; closeup; head shot; full-face view; outdoor; color; posing; authentic; smiling; feeling good; thai smile; happy; pretty; cheerful; cooking; apron; duck; deep-fried; peking duck; cookee

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; character; head; face; eyes; children eyes; facial expression; eye contact; disheveled; unkempt; dress; body language; gesture; hand; consent; emotion; parental consent; travel; culture; lifestyle; upbringing; childhood; cultural; chinese new year; costume; chinatown; bangkok; thailand; asia; thai chinese; one person; female; child; girl; image; photo; face perception; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; 4x3; horizontal; street; portrait; half-length portrait; closeup; seven-eighths view; outdoor; color; posing; curious; thumb-sucking; thumb; cheongsam; cute; cutie; chinese dress; red; gold

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; kwang tung shrine; chinese new year; cell phone; sideways glance; temple; head; face; eyes; beautiful eyes; lips; lipstick; facial expression; eye contact; hair; long hair; hairstyle; blue; dress; body language; both hands; finger; fingernails; consent; emotion; culture; lifestyle; beauty; fashion; style; affection; fondness; cultural; festival; worshiper; chinatown; bangkok; thailand; thai chinese; one person; female; adult; young; woman; image; photo; background; face perception; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; 4x3; horizontal; street; portrait; half-length portrait; closeup; two-third view; indoor; color; colorful; posing; authentic; smiling; beautiful; attractive; sensual; soulful; angelic; captivating; charming

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; head; face; eyes; children eyes; epicanthic fold; oriental eyes; facial expression; eye contact; hair; hairstyle; pigtails; dress; chinese dress; consent; parental consent; travel; culture; lifestyle; upbringing; fashion; tradition; chinese new year; ethnic; urban; traditional; cultural; yaowarat; chinatown; bangkok; thailand; asia; thai chinese; asian; one person; female; child; girl; little; small; image; photo; backdrop; face perception; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; 4x3; horizontal; street; portrait; closeup; head shot; seven-eighths view; red; outdoor; color; posing; posing for camera; cheongsam; cute; cuteness; chubby cheeks

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; cheongsam; hair ribbon; head; face; eyes; catchlights; children eyes; eye contact; dressed up; chinese dress; fashion; both hands; consent; parental consent; wat mangkon kamalawat; dragon lotus temple; culture; lifestyle; beauty; social event; upbringing; prosperity; affluence; style; tradition; chinese new year; ethnic; traditional; cultural; buddhism; festival; folklore; temple; celebration; devotee; chinatown; bangkok; thailand; asia; thai chinese; asian; one person; female; child; childhood; girl; photography; image; photo; backdrop; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; 4x3; horizontal; street; portrait; half-length portrait; closeup; seven-eighths view; pink; indoor; color; posing; posing for camera; smiling; beautiful; groomed; pretty; fan; hand-held


In Thailand, as elsewhere, one can find several different gender roles, identities and diverse visual markers of masculinity and femininity. Although the terms kathoey or ladyboy are rather ambiguous, simply put, both terms refer to someone assigned male at birth, who dresses as and adopts the mannerisms and identity of a woman. Kathoeys are numerous in Thailand and are seemingly accepted by society, not only in big cities like Bangkok but in the countryside as well.

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; character; head; face; eye makeup; teeth; lips; lipstick; facial expression; eye contact; earrings; tarted up; hair; hairdo; feather; costume; consent; fun; travel; tourism; culture; tradition; custom; enjoyment; entertainment; yaowarat; chinatown; bangkok; thailand; chinese new year; thai; red; one person; female; male; elderly; man; woman; transgender; genderqeer; ladyboy; ambiguity; cross-dresser; lgbt; drag queen; kathoey; effeminacy; feminine mannerism; image; photo; face perception; physiognomy; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; 4x3; horizontal; street; portrait; closeup; head shot; seven-eighths view; outdoor; color; posing for camera; smiling; joyous; genderqueer; burlesque

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; character; head; face; eye makeup; teeth; lips; lipstick; facial expression; eye contact; earrings; tarted up; hair; hairdo; flower in hair; costume; consent; fun; travel; tourism; culture; tradition; custom; enjoyment; entertainment; yaowarat; chinatown; bangkok; thailand; chinese new year; thai; red; one person; female; male; elderly; man; woman; transgender; genderqeer; ladyboy; ambiguity; cross-dresser; lgbt; drag queen; kathoey; effeminacy; feminine mannerism; image; photo; face perception; physiognomy; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; 4x3; horizontal; street; portrait; closeup; head shot; full-face view; outdoor; color; posing for camera; smiling; joyous; genderqueer; burlesque

High-res portrait photographs with complete exif data, geotags and technical details in Matt Hahnewald's

10 February 2018

Recelebrating Ecstatic Thaipusam

Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (January/February). In Malaysia, the temple at Batu Caves north of Kuala Lumpur attracts over one million devotees, many of them with body piercings that would make a surgeon cringe... (more: see blog post of January 22, 2009 Celebrating Ecstatic Thaipusam).

Georgetown on Penang is a second place where the Tamil community of Malaysia (together with many members of the predominant Malaysian Chinese island community) celebrates this boisterous Hindu festival. Thaipusam commemorates the occasion when Parvati (the Hindu goddess of fertility, love, devotion, strength and power) gave Murugan (the universal granter of wishes) a spear so he could vanquish an evil demon. During the festival devotees pray to Murugan to receive his grace and favors and to make penance. In Penang, on the first day, a pilgrimage procession takes place to bring the statue of Murugan on a silver chariot led by more than 60 kavadis from Georgetown’s Little India to the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple. The chariot is pulled by two decorated bulls and thousands of coconuts are smashed in front of it to cleanse the road. On the second day, Tamil devotees go through a physical endurance of being skewered and pierced on back and front of their bodies as an act of penance. Some have arrows through their tongues and cheeks whilst others carry numbers of small milk pots attached with sharp hooks to their skin. Thunderous loud music, singing, dancing, the beating of drums and playing of devotional songs are the norm during Thaipusam.

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; hooks; skin; character; head; face; forehead; piercing; skewer; worshiper; pin; brass; eyes; lips; mouth; tongue piercing; tongue; facial expression; jewelry; consent; emotion; rapport; travel; religion; traditional; cultural; hinduism; festival; celebration; devotee; thaipusam; penang; georgetown; malaysia; asia; tamil; malaysian indian; asian; one person; male; young; man; image; photo; illustrative editorial; face perception; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; nifty fifty; 4x3; horizontal; street; portrait; closeup; head shot; full-face view; outdoor; color; authentic; shutterstock; chains; pierced; devotion; pain; ethnic; needle; faith; vibhuti; sacred ash

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; character; head; face; piercing; skewer; worshiper; eyes; mouth; tongue piercing; tongue; lips; facial expression; jewelry; both hands; hand; finger; emotion; travel; religion; traditional; cultural; hinduism; festival; celebration; devotee; thaipusam; penang; georgetown; malaysia; asia; tamil; malaysian indian; asian; one person; male; young; man; image; photo; face perception; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; nifty fifty; 4x3; horizontal; street; portrait; closeup; head shot; tightly cropped; seven-eighths view; outdoor; color; candid; authentic; chains; brass; pierced; devotion; pain; ethnic; faith; preparation

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; character; head; face; forehead; needle; skin; urn; milk; hook; piercing; sandalwood paste; eyes; catchlights; facial expression; eye contact; beard; consent; rapport; culture; custom; religion; penance; repentance; virtue; anthropology; ethnic; spiritual; traditional; cultural; hindu; hinduism; lord subramaniam; lord murugan; thaipusam; festival; celebration; devotee; worshiper; georgetown; penang; malaysia; asia; tamil; malaysian indian; asian; one person; male; young; man; image; photo; illustrative editorial; face perception; physiognomy; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; nifty fifty; 4x3; horizontal; street; portrait; closeup; head shot; full-face view; outdoor; color; posing; determined; shutterstock

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; character; head; face; forehead; needle; skin; urn; milk; hook; piercing; sandalwood paste; eyes; catchlights; facial expression; eye contact; beard; consent; rapport; culture; custom; religion; penance; repentance; virtue; anthropology; ethnic; spiritual; traditional; cultural; hindu; hinduism; lord subramaniam; lord murugan; thaipusam; festival; celebration; devotee; worshiper; georgetown; penang; malaysia; asia; tamil; malaysian indian; asian; one person; male; young; man; image; photo; illustrative editorial; face perception; physiognomy; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; nifty fifty; 4x3; horizontal; street; portrait; closeup; head shot; full-face view; outdoor; color; posing; determined; shutterstock

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; character; head; face; forehead; needle; skin; urn; milk; hook; piercing; sandalwood paste; eyes; catchlights; facial expression; eye contact; beard; consent; rapport; culture; custom; religion; penance; repentance; virtue; anthropology; ethnic; spiritual; traditional; cultural; hindu; hinduism; lord subramaniam; lord murugan; thaipusam; festival; celebration; devotee; worshiper; georgetown; penang; malaysia; asia; tamil; malaysian indian; asian; one person; male; young; man; image; photo; illustrative editorial; face perception; physiognomy; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; nifty fifty; 4x3; horizontal; street; portrait; closeup; head shot; full-face view; outdoor; color; posing; determined; shutterstock


"Yes I am, I am also a Muslim, a Christian, a Buddhist, and a Jew."
(Mahatma Gandhi)

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; forehead; bindi; makeup; eyes; catchlights; children eyes; earrings; eye contact; consent; emotion; relationship; parental consent; travel; culture; lifestyle; beauty; social event; thaipusam; tamil; optimism; style; traditional; hinduism; modern; festival; celebration; georgetown; penang; malaysia; malaysian indian; two people; female; adult; child; toddler; childhood; girl; young; woman; mother and child; mother and daughter; image; photo; illustrative editorial; physiognomy; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; nifty fifty; 4x3; horizontal; street; double portrait; half-length portrait; closeup; cropped; full-face view; three-quarter view; outdoor; color; colorful; posing; smiling; beautiful; cheerful; shutterstock; multiculturalism; love; face perception

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; forehead; bindi; eyes; catchlights; children eyes; earrings; eye contact; hairstyle; sari; fashion; consent; relationship; parental consent; travel; culture; lifestyle; beauty; social event; thaipusam; tamil; style; traditional; hinduism; modern; festival; celebration; georgetown; penang; malaysia; malaysian indian; two people; female; adult; child; girl; young; woman; mother and child; mother and daughter; image; photo; illustrative editorial; physiognomy; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; nifty fifty; 4x3; horizontal; street; double portrait; half-length portrait; closeup; cropped; full-face view; seven-eighths view; outdoor; color; posing; smiling; beautiful; pretty; shutterstock; jewelry; necklace; pigtails; multiculturalism; love; face perception

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; head; face; forehead; bindi; eyes; beautiful eyes; teeth; lips; lipstick; facial expression; eye contact; hair; long hair; hairstyle; green; dyed; fashion; consent; emotion; fun; travel; culture; lifestyle; beauty; religion; style; cultural; hindu; hinduism; thaipusam; festival; celebration; georgetown; penang; malaysia; asia; tamil; malaysian indian; asian; two people; female; young; woman; photography; image; photo; background; face perception; physiognomy; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; nifty fifty; 4x3; horizontal; street; portrait; closeup; head shot; three-quarter view; sideways glance; outdoor; color; colorful; posing; authentic; smiling; beautiful; attractive; charming

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; needle; pin; urn; milk; hook; skin; upper body; head; face; forehead; eyes; facial expression; eye contact; beard; consent; rapport; respect; travel; culture; religion; penance; repentance; spiritual; religious; traditional; cultural; hindu; hinduism; thaipusam; festival; celebration; devotee; georgetown; penang; malaysia; asia; tamil; malaysian indian; asian; one person; male; middle-aged; man; image; photo; illustrative editorial; face perception; physiognomy; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; nifty fifty; 4x3; horizontal; street; portrait; closeup; head shot; seven-eighths view; yellow; silver; outdoor; morning; preparation; color; posing; authentic; powerful; determined; shutterstock

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; hooks; jewelry; needle; skewer; pin; urn; milk; piercing; character; head; face; forehead; eyes; cheek; mouth; tongue; facial expression; eye contact; consent; travel; culture; religion; penance; repentance; virtue; ethnic; spiritual; religious; traditional; cultural; hindu; hinduism; thaipusam; festival; celebration; devotee; georgetown; penang; malaysia; asia; tamil; malaysian indian; asian; one person; male; young; man; image; photo; illustrative editorial; face perception; physiognomy; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; nifty fifty; 4x3; horizontal; street; portrait; head shot; closeup; seven-eighths view; outdoor; color; shutterstock; posing; authentic; headband; brass

The kavadi attam (burden dance) is a ceremonial sacrifice and offering practised by Hindu devotees during Thaipusam and emphasizes spiritual debt bondage. The kavadi itself is a physical burden, the bearing of which is used by the devotee to implore Murugan for assistance, usually on behalf of a loved one who is in need of healing, or as a means of balancing a spiritual debt. The devotees process and dance along Georgetown’s Thaipusam route from Little India to the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple while bearing these burdens. The more elaborate kavadi consists of two semicircular pieces of wood or steel which are bent and attached to a cross structure that can be balanced on the shoulders of the male Hindu devotee. It is often decorated with flowers and peacock feathers and can weigh up to 30 kg.

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; kavadi; bearer; dancer; attam; ceremonial; sacrifice; burden; character; head; face; eyes; facial expression; eye contact; carrying; consent; respect; travel; culture; religion; vitality; penance; repentance; virtue; religious; traditional; cultural; hindu; hinduism; murugan; thaipusam; festival; celebration; procession; devotee; georgetown; little india; penang; malaysia; asia; tamil; malaysian indian; one person; male; boy; teen; image; photo; illustrative editorial; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; nifty fifty; 4x3; horizontal; street; portrait; half-length portrait; closeup; seven-eighths view; outdoor; color; colorful; posing; authentic; smiling; handsome; shutterstock; moustache; shoulder; barechested

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; kavadi; bearer; dancer; attam; ceremonial; sacrifice; burden; character; head; face; eyes; facial expression; eye contact; beard; carrying; consent; respect; travel; culture; religion; vitality; penance; repentance; virtue; religious; traditional; cultural; hindu; hinduism; murugan; thaipusam; festival; celebration; procession; devotee; georgetown; little india; penang; malaysia; asia; tamil; malaysian indian; one person; male; adult; middle-aged; man; image; photo; illustrative editorial; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; nifty fifty; 4x3; horizontal; street; portrait; closeup; seven-eighths view; outdoor; color; colorful; posing; authentic; smiling; shutterstock; shoulder; barechested; head shot

matt hahnewald photography; facing the world; kavadi; bearer; dancer; attam; ceremonial; sacrifice; burden; character; head; face; eyes; facial expression; eye contact; beard; carrying; consent; respect; travel; culture; religion; vitality; penance; repentance; virtue; religious; traditional; cultural; hindu; hinduism; murugan; thaipusam; festival; celebration; procession; devotee; georgetown; little india; penang; malaysia; asia; tamil; malaysian indian; one person; male; adult; elderly; man; image; photo; illustrative editorial; nikon d3100; nikkor af-s 50mm f/1.8g; prime lens; 50mm; nifty fifty; 4x3; horizontal; street; portrait; closeup; seven-eighths view; outdoor; color; colorful; posing; authentic; determined; shutterstock; shoulder; barechested; head shot

Thaipusam in Penang is not only celebrated by Hindus but also by many members of the Malaysian-Chinese community. The Chinese worshipers and devotees of Murugan celebrate the festival together with the Tamil Malaysians and and do pierce themselves exactly in the same way as the Malaysian Indians do.



High-res portrait photographs with exif data, geotags and technical details in Matt Hahnewald's
Flickr Album 2018-01a Recelebrating Ecstatic Thaipusam
Flickr Album 2009-02a Celebrating Ecstatic Thaipusam