I had first heard about Dawey in 2002, when I was told that he belonged to a rare pygmy-like race known as the Tarong who lived in the far north of Burma. Only six or seven members of this group, unique in Southeast Asia, still survived. With their passing, part of Burma's rich ethnic diversity would be lost forever.

Not sure how much of this was true, I thought that I would try to confirm the facts for myself someday, if the opportunity ever arose. Photographing the snow-capped peaks of northern Burma—a country better known for its tropical climate—also had a certain appeal. After fifteen years of covering the country's political situation under military rule, I was in the mood for something less depressing. So, as I continued collecting information about Burma, the idea of exploring the distant north began to take root.