On the Alms Round

These photos were gathered during a rare opportunity to follow a group of young novice monks on their daily alms round in rural Shan State, Burma. Photographing them was a bit of a challenge, as many of them were shy to have their picture taken, despite having gotten to know me over the course of the several days I spent at their tiny monastery. With it, I look to tell a narrative that documents one of the traditions that is a major part of Burma's Buddhist cultural heritage, which are changing rapidly as the country opens to the outside world. It also offers a look at the different definitions of childhood throughout the world, and how it can vary extensively simply based on where and into what situation a person is born.