Weight versus beauty
    Women on the prairie of northern Tibet look the most beautiful in summer when the flowers are in full bloom.The summer months, the best season on the prairie, are packed with horse races and trade fairs.
    Young local women start to dress themselves up days before the races and fairs start.
    As they never cut their hair, they have the luxury of pleating their long thick hair into dozens of thin plaits. After that, they strew the plaits with colourful amber and turquoise stones, coral and silver ornaments.
    When their hair is done, they spend time selecting the best headwear, the best and most beautiful necklaces, and gold and silver hangings. Their robes are also patched with fine fur.
    A full costume often weighs a few dozen kilograms. But such a weight is bearable for the sake of beauty.
    As contemporary fashion has not reached the prairie, there has been little change in way the young women dress.
    The costumes and ornaments are passed down from one generation to another, bearing the honour, pride and wealth that the women have inherited from their ancestors.