| Accession Number | P03258.237 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Negative |
| Maker |
Smith, Heide |
| Place made | Cambodia |
| Date made | 1993 |
| Conflict |
Period 1990-1999 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: © Australian War Memorial
This item is licensed under CC BY-NC
|
A barechested Khmer Rouge soldier at the Australian Federal Police (AFP) base at Thmar Puok ...
Description
A barechested Khmer Rouge soldier at the Australian Federal Police (AFP) base at Thmar Puok displays his magic tattoos. Designed to protect the wearer from harm in battle, tattoos and talismans form a significant part of both Buddhist and Hindu Brahamist belief in an active spiritual world which inhabits their forests, streams, houses, roads and temples. This soldier's tattoo pattern is intended to bring omens to him, in the form of birds and the wind, warning of impending danger. According to belief, recklessly testing the effectiveness of such magic will negate its potency.