In two small Mexican villages of Oaxaca beads are very important. The people of both villages are Mixe. The villages of Mixistlan and Yacoche are difficult to get to, way up in the mountains.
Boys get a string of beads at the age of one along with their first haircut.
They keep these beads all their lives. Girls also get a string of beads at this age, but not the haircut. And, these are only the first beads they receive. Throughout their lives they add to the collection. Some they buy.