Ned Hibberd's Blog

Far be it from me to question the odd customs of another culture.  There are plenty of things in my own culture that don't make any pragmatic sense (neckties, anyone?).

But when I saw these photos, I had to share them with you.  I've heard American women complain about their high heeled shoes...

...but they've got nothing on this woman.  Foot binding was practiced in China for about a thousand years, according to Wikipedia.  Girls and young women would wrap their feet tightly, until their bones folded in on themselves.

But the X-ray doesn't do it justice, compared to seeing the result in full color:

Wikipedia notes that China's foot binding fetish petered out in the 20th century.

But its effects linger as long as the lives of those who were hobbled by the custom.

Which brings us to my question of the week: Is this beauty or is it torture?  Should a painful and debilitating practice be allowed simply because it's a traditional practice in a given society?

Ned