InfoAnda - Taiwan teen bone collector carries on family craft

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

2 Koreas to hold first dialogue in a year | 19 April 2009
Film world focuses on wartime, post-war Germany | Entertainment | | 7 February 2009
RFK Bridge Reopens As NYPD Finds Abandoned U-Haul Not A Threat | 6 May 2010

I'm not a lesbian says tearful Oprah Winfrey | | 9 December 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Taiwan teen bone collector carries on family craft

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition World Taiwan teen bone collector carries on family craft AFP - Wednesday, January 26 Send IM Story Print Taiwan teen bone collector carries on family craft TAINAN, Taiwan (AFP) - – Like many Taiwanese teenage girls, Lee You-fang likes to sing pop songs and play with her pet dog, but she has an unusual job: working with the bones of the dead. For five years, 19-year-old Lee has honed her craft as a "bone collector," assisting her father in an ancient funerary rite that involves collecting, cleaning and arranging human skeletons for reburial. She began working full-time after graduating from high school last year, following in the footsteps of her great-grandfather who started the family business eight decades ago. "Many clients were very surprised when they saw me because there are very few women in this profession," she said during an interview at a cemetery in Tainan, southern Taiwan, while taking a break from washing bones. Lee may appear timid with her girlish face and a soft voice but she betrays no fear when it comes to her special line of work. "Everyone I met asked if the job was frightening and my answer was always no," she said. "I remembered watching my grandfather and my father at work since I was in elementary school and I didn't feel scared then. I was more curious to see the bones." To prepare for the reburial, bone collectors first open the tomb to remove the remains of a body, and they have to be careful not to inhale the odour the moment the coffin is opened. "This can be the most dangerous and probably the scariest part as some bone collectors died from inhaling the poisonous smell," she said. "My grandfather once opened the coffin of a woman and the body practically 'jumped up'. Everybody fled in panic thinking that she'd come back to life. But actually the body hadn't decomposed, and it was her hair that caught the lid." The next step involves cleaning the bones with alcohol before putting them back together to be dried by the sun and wind. The spine is tied with a red thread and a tree branch while parts of the skeleton are marked with red ink to symbolise blood and family lineage. Prayers aimed at blessing the deceased and their offspring are recited, while the skeleton is put in an urn and enshrined in a pagoda rather than in the ground. Lee and her father often have to climb high mountains to reach remote cemeteries where they dig out the bones, she said. "We often found poisonous snakes or big red fire ants lurking around the tombs. Frankly I am more scared of the snakes than the dead because snakes can bite me." Bone collecting is linked to a belief that the feng shui of ancestral graves will affect the lives of the descendants and that a reburial can help turn around luck in difficult times. Feng shui, which means "wind and water," refers to the ancient Chinese art of geomancy put into practice in interior decoration and in finding ideal locations for homes, offices and tombs. "Being a bone collector is about doing good things. We help the dead rest in peace and move on to another world," she said. The Lees recently worked on a case for a family who opted for the ritual when some members developed health problems after their ancestral graves were flooded. "The work paid well in the old days so it was passed down from generation to generation in my family," said her father Lee Ta-sung, 49, who started out when he too was a teenager. But the profession has been on the wane, he said, since the government banned burials in some densely populated parts of the island several years ago. Besides the scarcity of land, increasing numbers of people now choose to cremate deceased relatives because of the lower cost, which is about half that of a burial. "Now we have fewer cases since people see cremations as cheaper and less troublesome," Lee said, adding he now has 30 to 50 cases monthly, down from 200 at the peak some 20 years ago. Despite the uncertain future, Lee has passed on his knowledge to his daughter in the hope that the girl can one day take over his practice. "We will continue to work as long as our services are in need. We are helping others and also accumulating good karma for ourselves," he said. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Opera star Netrebko returns to St Petersburg stage AFP - 16 minutes ago Merkel pays tribute to 'Downfall' producer AFP - Thursday, January 27 US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - Thursday, January 27 Penelope Cruz has first child: report Reuters - Thursday, January 27 South Korean director thrives ANN - Thursday, January 27 News Search Top Stories Boeing fourth-quarter profits slump on lower sales Dow Jones index hits 12,000 points Davos opens with power shift to South, East in focus T. rex still king, says dino study BBC World Service axes five language services More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Kids who misbehave face trouble as adults: study T. rex still king, says dino study British economy suffers shock slump BBC World Service axes five language services 'The King's Speech' wins most Oscar nominations More Most Viewed » More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo! Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Entertainment Photos Yahoo! News Network Copyright © 2011 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Abbas welcomed home as hero
France signs contested Russia warship deal
Online paid news service launched by leading newspapers
Egyptian police fire tear gas at demonstrators
British economy suffers shock slump
Russia blames lax security for airport horror
Eric Schmidt expects another 10 years at Google
In fields and city streets, Cuba embraces change |
Egyptians hit the streets to demand Mubarak ouster
'The King's Speech' wins most Oscar nominations
Hezbollah-backed Mikati appointed Lebanon PM
Suicide attack kills seven in Lahore: police
Somali pirates seize German ship off Seychelles |
Egyptians rage against Mubarak's rule, three killed
Primates shun Anglican talks over U.S. gay bishops |
Israel's new top spy: Iran bomb possible in 2 years |
Egypt protesters break through police barriers
Violence erupts during Lebanon 'day of rage'
Google hires, but Yahoo fires |
Twitter site blocked in Egypt: Harvard's Herdict |
Murdoch iPad newspaper to launch in next two weeks |
Jackson doctor denies killing singer, as trial set
Syria nets $7.6 bn from 40% tourism spike in 2010
'King's Speech' crowned head of Oscar nominees
Judi Dench, Plan B among South Bank Award winners
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Doctor pleads not guilty in Michael Jackson's death
IMF sees faster growth but recovery 'still at risk'
"The King's Speech," "True Grit" lead Oscar field
India, Indonesia clinch $15bn in business deals
Cat couple's tale of woe enchants Sundance
Music industry takes to the digital cloud
Doctor pleads not guilty in Michael Jackson's death |
Jersey Shore to shoot Season 4 in Italy |
Oprah's half-sister revelation rocks show's ratings |
Jay Leno to get Harvard Hasty pudding award |
Judi Dench, Plan B among South Bank Award winners |
Startup Ongo enters online news arena
Enraged Russian bloggers accuse leaders after blast
Google plans rival to Groupon bargain service
US-TECH Summary
Murdoch iPad newspaper to launch in next two weeks
Eric Schmidt expects another 10 years at Google
Karzai set to open Afghan parliament despite row
Kosovo says 'ready to face' organs report
Obama pushes expanding high-speed wireless service
T. rex still king, says dino study
Calm in Cairo after day of protests
Putin vows revenge for suicide bombing |
BBC World Service axes five language services
Yahoo warns of weak Q1, more cost cuts planned
Egypt opposition calls for second day of protests
Traffic noise boosts risk of stroke: study
Anger in Lebanon as Hezbollah-backed Mikati named PM
Calm in Cairo after day of protests |
Twitter confirms it is blocked in Egypt
Anger in Lebanon as Hezbollah-backed Mikati named PM
US doctors turn X-Box game into PTSD therapy
U.S. warns on ties with Hezbollah-backed Lebanon gov't
Obama backs Seoul, demands North Korea give up nukes |
Afghan parliament prepares to convene
net profit jumps, revenue slips
Afghan parliament opens, paves way for bigger battle |
will.i.am teams up with Intel
Three dead in Egyptian protests
Japan PM Kan: no plans to call snap election |
Twitter blocked in Egypt amid unrest
Hezbollah-backed Mikati named Lebanon prime minister
African states at odds on Ivory Coast crisis |
Iran not working on bomb: Israel intelligence head
Haiti government candidate to quit elections race |
Online news service launched for big papers
China PM first to meet petitioners in 60 years
U.S. pays off much of U.N. arrears, now owes $736 million |
S. Korea seeks military talks with N. Korea
Arthouse drama "Winter's Bone" makes Oscar splash
US wants Internet, cell records held longer
Obama backs Seoul, demands North Korea give up nuclear
FCC may approve cellphone use of satellite airwaves: report
"Jersey Shore" to shoot Season 4 in Italy
Family threatens suicide in Beijing property row
Heroes praised as Australia floods menace more homes
Toyota to recall 1.7 million vehicles worldwide
Global Weather-Celsius
Activists track down Japan whaling ship
Russia's lower house ratifies US nuclear pact
Oscar snubs: "Inception" director, Duvall, Kunis
Beijing holds first car number plate lottery
FACTBOX-Reactions from leading Oscar nominees
Tiananmen activist accuses HK of bowing to China
Yahoo warns of weak Q1, more cost cuts planned |
Oscar extends warm welcome to newcomer nominees
Clijsters, Zvonareva set up Open clash
Arthouse drama "Winter's Bone" makes Oscar splash
A year later, Microsoft picture looks very different |
Obama pushes expanding high-speed wireless service |
Few US kids do well in science class: study
FCC may approve cellphone use of satellite airwaves: report |
Sundance film examines 'eco-terrorists'
Twitter confirms it is blocked in Egypt |
Worst could be over for LG Elec after record Q4 loss |
Playful Poulter fails to tease tweets out of Tiger |
Moscow attack casts shadow over World Economic Forum
Seoul shares gain 1.1 pct lifted by autos, techs
Vietnam bank chief linked to Australia notes scandal
Parent of Taiwan's Foxconn enters solar power
LG Electronics falls into red in fourth quarter
China plans nationwide resource tax: report
Pakistan
King's Speech'gets royal treatment at Oscars |
Starbucks bets on India's cafe revolution
Oscar extends warm welcome to newcomer nominees |
NZ credit card billings fall in December
Oscar snubs: Inception director, Duvall, Kunis |
Seoul shares gain 1.1 pct lifted by autos, techs
Doctor pleads not guilty in Michael Jackson's death |
Jesse The Body Ventura objects to airport body scans |
Arthouse drama Winter's Bone makes Oscar splash |
FCC may approve cellphone use of satellite airwaves: report
Four Palestinians suspected of killing U.S. tourist
Tunisia seeks arrest of ousted president |
Algeria steps up grain imports, eyes Tunisia virus |
Egypt authorities ban further protests
Colombia coal mine blast kills 20: officials |
Coming next: Carry-along base station for travelers
Davos opens with power shift to South, East in focus
Afghan president inaugurates new parliament
U.N. chief says Cyprus leaders to intensify talks |
Ahmadinejad slams rivals in Iran power struggle |
Gates and Gulf prince pay for Afghan and Pakistan jabs |
Jams, red tape and graft obstruct business in Egypt |
Tablet boom boosts PC market in Q4: Canalys
Sikh shrine in Baghdad lives on in memories
Afghan president convenes new parliament
Afghan parliament prepares to convene
Insurgent strikes cast doubt on progress in Thai south
Macau casino tycoon says family brawl over
Hong Kong 10-year-olds pass UK high school exams
Sony handheld to take on Nintendo DS, smartphones |
Chinese travel agency offers new North Korea Tours to study Juche
Merkel pays tribute to 'Downfall' producer
Coming next: Carry-along base station for travelers |
Mysterious crop circle in Indonesia 'harmless'
Penelope Cruz has first child: report
Google widens access to Israel's Holocaust archives |
Philippine police suspect five in journalist murder
Taiwan teen bone collector carries on family craft
Russian parliament approves arms pact with U.S.
Manila bus bomb similar to devices used in south
N.Korea defector artist says he paints real regime
Mobile app industry to surge in 2011: Gartner |
Tablet boom boosts PC market in Q4: Canalys |
Zsa Zsa Gabor sells house 'because we're not rich'
Jesse "The Body" Ventura objects to airport body scans
Davos highlights economic power shift to East, South
Pakistani stocks, o/n rates end up; rupee firms
China to fine Carrefour, Wal-Mart for deceptive prices
Palm oil giant Sime Darby ventures into Africa
Taiwan UMC's profits surge six-fold in 2010
Fitch cuts Taiwan's local currency rating, citing fiscal outlook
Penelope Cruz has first child: report |
Shippers need to scrap vessels or delay orders to boost earnings
Pakistan to announce results of T-bills on Wednesday
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01