Hi azl42--
There are a couple of different ways to approach your question, so
I’ve touched on several of them in hopes of answering your question
fully.
============================
First, there are religions and/or groups of people who forbid the
photographing of individuals for superstitious or metaphysical
reasons. The first of these groups can be considered offshoots of
Abraham-founded mythologies that adhere to all or part of the bible.
These would include, for example, Muslims and Amish people. Their
belief stems from the directive of the second commandment which
prohibits “graven images” ---
----------------------------
“In christian mythology, traces of this belief are still expressed in
the second commandment (Exodus 20): "Thou shalt not make unto thee any
graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or
that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the
Lord thy God am a jealous God, [...]."
Owning the Immaterial? Georg Jakob
http://www.ffs.or.at/artikel/owning_immaterial_iceb2002.pdf
--------------------------
The Amish & Photographs
http://www.amishnews.com/amisharticles/amishand%20photos.htm
--------------------------
“Do not take pictures inside mosques, and be very careful where you
take pictures and whom you photograph. Ask before you photograph
people.
(3) Do not photograph Egyptian military installations or equipment
without permission.
GUARDIAN - EGYPT
http://www.guardian186.info/Page.asp?NavID=80
===================================
The second of these groups are those cultures who have “naming taboos”
and have extended those taboos to images as well. In many traditional
cultures of South America, Africa, and Australia, living people are
not supposed to speak the name of the recently deceased. It is
considered an important taboo and with the advent of photography, has
been extended to include the viewing of an image of the deceased.
-------------------------------------
Tim Burns, To Shoot or Not to Shoot -
Anthropology, Ethnography and the Documentary in
Relation to Aboriginal Culture (1996)
http://www.uws.edu.au/archives/ethnography/ethno.htm
From the above –
“`I have tried to … avoid using names that might become taboo through
death. … Likewise, photographs help maintain the immediate reality of
Pintupi life, but readers should be aware that pictures of deceased
relatives can cause great pain to Aboriginal people. Out of politeness
and consideration, it would be appropriate to request permission from
some knowledgeable member of the Pintupi communities before showing
these photographs'[16] ...”
Naming Taboo as a Signifier to aspects of Aboriginal Society
http://www.uws.edu.au/archives/ethnography/ethno7.htm
---------------------------
“Culturally appropriate technology developments must complement
existing oral traditions. They must also engage with specific cultural
practices such as naming taboo - the prohibition on using a person's
name after death. With the use of photography, film and multimedia in
indigenous communities the naming taboo has been redefined to take
into account the use of images (Michaels, 1990).”
ETHICAL ISSUES CONCERNING THE USE OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY WITH INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
http://www.businessit.bf.rmit.edu.au/aice/events/AICEC99/papers1/TUR99021.pdf
Literature cited above --
Michaels, E. (1990) Bad Aboriginal Art: Tradition, Media, and
Technological Horizons. Sydney: Allen & Unwin.
----------------------------
“Ask before taking any photographs. There may be special reason why
they do not want their photo taken such as related to their religion,
or sickness. Do not photograph pregnant women. The Akha fear that the
spirit of the child will be attached to the photo.”
THE HILL TRIBE OF NORTHERN THAILAND
http://hadf.org/english/naturalfocus/guidelines.html
===========================
Many religions and cultures forbid photography at specific events or
at religious temples and ceremonies. For example, I know from personal
experience that photography is forbidden in all Buddhist temples in
Sri Lanka. Also --
---------------------------------
“In some cases funeral photography is completely prohibited. For
example, at the funeral ghats in Varanasi in India beside the river
Ganges they cremate the bodies of the deceased on open bonfires. This
is an extremely important event central to the Hindu religion and
photography is not allowed. It is also forbidden to take pictures of
Australian Aboriginals who are recently deceased because of the naming
taboo whereby their name cannot even be used for a certain period
after their death.”
The Irish Photographers Website
Respect ‘em and then shoot ‘em
http://www.culabula.ie/IP%20Website/Article1.htm
“In monasteries - when entering a temple, remove your hat …. Do not
photograph anything inside without permission (photography outside is
okay).”
ETIQUETTE IN TIBET
http://www.khamaid.org/travel/etiquette.htm
===============================
Nearly ALL countries have laws that control when and where you may
take photographs. These rules are often in place for security reasons
and are so common that the US State Department issues the following
warning --
----------------------------
“DO NOT photograph anything that appears to be associated with the
military or internal security of the country, including airports,
ports, or restricted areas such as military installations. If in
doubt, DO NOT. “
Personal Conduct Overseas and What To Do If Arrested
http://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/ERC/travel/security/security_arrests.html
----------------------------
“Do not photograph Egyptian military installations or equipment
without permission.”
GUARDIAN - EGYPT
http://www.guardian186.info/Page.asp?NavID=80
--------------------------------
“… please refrain from photographing people or places you have been
told are inappropriate. (For example, do not photograph military
installations, bridges, guard posts, etc.) and never photograph any
person without asking permission. Myanmar people are generally
friendly and accepting of having their picture taken, but it is polite
to first ask, or have your guide ask.)”
For first-time Travelers to Myanmar
http://www.sstmyanmar.com/first.htm
-----------------------------------
“Do not take pictures of military or civilian installations or
equipment, military or civilian police, or civilian airport or seaport
facilities without permission of the host country. Do not photograph
people at close range (particularly women) without permission.”
KNOWLEDGE OF ARAB CUSTOMS
http://v2.aftb.org/vacs/regional/customs/arab.asp
-----------------------------------
“Under no circumstances is photography permitted inside aircraft or at
airports. In addition, do not photograph government buildings (unless
permission granted - check with guide/ tour manager) and installations
or military or police personnel. Certain temples also restrict
interior photography. You should also be aware that the use of video
cameras is restricted in Taj Mahal at Agra. Taking photographs and/or
videos when permission is not granted is inconsiderate at best and may
result in the confiscation of your film.”
TRAVEL INFORMATION – INDIA
http://www.all-india-travel-tours.com/travel-information.html
CULTURE GUIDE – UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
http://www.geocities.com/smwenneryeaman/CultureGuideCustoms.html
=================================
And finally, there are unwritten expectations regarding personal
privacy and photographing of individuals. The basic rule of etiquette
for any photographer is ASK PERMISSION before photographing ANYONE.
“In Arabic countries, the photographing of local women is strictly
taboo and only slightly less dangerous than photographing a man's
camels! In Kenya, you risk a barrage of spears being thrown into your
truck if you are caught taking photos of tribal people without their
permission!”
RANDY’S TRAVEL TIPS
http://www.ease.com/~randyj/rjathom2.htm
----------------------------------------
Please do not photograph members of our tribe without first asking
permission.
Absolutely no photography in San Geronimo Chapel.
VISITING TAOS PUEBLO
http://taospueblo.com/visiting.php
----------------------------------
So, as you can see there are many people, countries, and religions
that are averse to having their picture taken. In fact most countries
and religions have such rules, if not for religious reasons or
national security, at least to protect the privacy of their citizens.
It would not be possible to name them all here.
I’m not sure what you mean by “visual ways to identify” such people.
People with rules, laws or taboos against photographs are world-wide.
They are all of us.
Thanks for a great question. If anything I’ve said isn’t clear to you,
please feel free to ask for clarification.
-K~
search terms:
photograph taboo anthropology
photograph cultural taboo
photograph native taboo
“naming taboo”
“graven image”
“Do not photograph” |
