A villager is cutting stone to carve statues in a workshop in Sagyin village, northern Myanmar.

`We are blessed with the profession of carving Buddha statues,` said artisan Chin Win while working in a stone workshop in Sagyin, a village located among seven white hills.

A villager is cutting stone to carve statues in a workshop in Sagyin village, northern Myanmar.

`We are blessed with the profession of carving Buddha statues,` said artisan Chin Win while working in a stone workshop in Sagyin, a village located among seven white hills.

White stone dust covers the face of a worker carving a statue.

Generations of people in the village are Buddha sculptors, making a living selling giant statues to neighboring Mandalay city or exporting them to China or Thailand.

White stone dust covers the face of a worker carving a statue.

Generations of people in the village are Buddha sculptors, making a living selling giant statues to neighboring Mandalay city or exporting them to China or Thailand.

A marble mine serving the craft of making Buddha statues in Sagyin.

Myanmar marble comes in a variety of colors, from pure white to grey-green, and is prized for its hardness and texture.

A marble mine serving the craft of making Buddha statues in Sagyin.

Myanmar marble comes in a variety of colors, from pure white to grey-green, and is prized for its hardness and texture.

A completed Buddha statue sits near the Irawaddy River waiting to be transported by boat to the buyer.

A completed Buddha statue sits near the Irawaddy River waiting to be transported by boat to the buyer.

Children play with pieces of stone in a workshop.

`We grew up in this dusty atmosphere,` said Chin Win, 35, who has been sculpting since he was 11 years old.

Children play with pieces of stone in a workshop.

`We grew up in this dusty atmosphere,` said Chin Win, 35, who has been sculpting since he was 11 years old.

Two women pass by a Buddha statue being crafted.

Previously, people had to chisel stones by hand, but this job has now been replaced by machines.

`I was born in the village and many generations have done this job. Men carve statues, women work in quarries or polish statues,` said Mya Lay, 25, while sitting in a house built

Two women pass by a Buddha statue being crafted.

Previously, people had to chisel stones by hand, but this job has now been replaced by machines.

`I was born in the village and many generations have done this job. Men carve statues, women work in quarries or polish statues,` said Mya Lay, 25, while sitting in a house built

Mya Lay (right) and a woman from the same village at the stone quarry.

For many years, she has been going up and down the quarries from early morning until sunset, carrying large blocks of stone on her head for a salary of 3.5 USD per day.

`If possible, I want to leave the village to find a better job in the city,` she said, saying she wanted to leave so her daughter could have a better life.

Mya Lay (right) and a woman from the same village at the stone quarry.

For many years, she has been going up and down the quarries from early morning until sunset, carrying large blocks of stone on her head for a salary of 3.5 USD per day.

`If possible, I want to leave the village to find a better job in the city,` she said, saying she wanted to leave so her daughter could have a better life.

Women polish Buddha statues in a workshop in Sagyin village.

Many people are afraid of getting sick because they breathe in stone dust all year round, which can cause serious lung disease.

Women polish Buddha statues in a workshop in Sagyin village.

Many people are afraid of getting sick because they breathe in stone dust all year round, which can cause serious lung disease.

The Buddha statue is displayed in a workshop in Sagyin after completion.

Kyi Khaing, owner of a statue sculpture workshop, said most people are too poor to care about their health.

`I think marble dust is not safe, but most people here only focus on making money to make ends meet, and don’t have time to care about their health,` Khaing said.

The Buddha statue is displayed in a workshop in Sagyin after completion.

Kyi Khaing, owner of a statue sculpture workshop, said most people are too poor to care about their health.

`I think marble dust is not safe, but most people here only focus on making money to make ends meet, and don’t have time to care about their health,` Khaing said.

Workers working for Kyi Khaing’s factory.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had an even greater impact.

Workers working for Kyi Khaing’s factory.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had an even greater impact.

Villagers pass by an unfinished giant statue.

The closure of the two countries’ border means that Kyi Khaing, 49, cannot export Buddha statues.

Villagers pass by an unfinished giant statue.

The closure of the two countries’ border means that Kyi Khaing, 49, cannot export Buddha statues.

A giant Buddha statue lies along the Irawaddy River waiting to be transported by boat to the buyer.

However, Kyi Khaing thinks that many things in Sagyin will remain unchanged over time.

A giant Buddha statue lies along the Irawaddy River waiting to be transported by boat to the buyer.

However, Kyi Khaing thinks that many things in Sagyin will remain unchanged over time.

Hong Hanh (Photo: Reuters)