“Giraffe” Women – Secret of Neck Rings
Living in the mountains bordering Burma and Thailand are the Kayan people, also known as Padaung. With a population of around 40,000 souls, this tribe boasts of an aberrant culture. What makes the tribe unique is the characteristic neck rings worn by the women of the tribe. Essentially these rings feature single brass coil encircling the neck. Initially, the coil is placed when the girl is five years old; as she grows, it is replaced by a longer coil. Gradually the length of the coil and weight associated with it presses the clavicle and the rib cage, which results in appearance of a long neck. However, in actuality the neck doesn’t extend.
It is quite interesting to look into the reason behind the change. The cause of “giraffe” women is that the ribs and the clavicle descend 45 degrees down from their normal point. Optimal weight of the coil is nearly 5kg. However, the roots of the tradition are still to be discovered. Different myths surround the fact. Some sources predict it as a protection from tiger-bite. There are others, who believe that the coils made Kayan women unattractive for slave traders. However, for women in the tribe it is their tribal identity and an assurance that they would marry within their tribe.
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9 Comments, Comment or Ping
Coral Snake (1 comments.)
I heard a myth that if they remove those rings, they will likely die, because it would be a sudden change
May 26th, 2008
Porch Lifts (22 comments.)
It is amazing how differently some people live. I had always assumed that the neck was slowly stretching though until I read your post. Thats interesting to learn that this is not the case.
May 28th, 2008
Free photos (1 comments.)
Yea … that’s their religion and tradition .
Jun 1st, 2008
FutureBoy (4 comments.)
I heard that the same tradition is widespread among native population of Africa
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Jun 24th, 2008
juka14 (2 comments.)
We might think it’s weird to do that, but for them it’s just a normal thing. Who knows what they think about the stuff we do…
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Jul 5th, 2008
Hifi Guy (8 comments.)
I don’t know how it’s called, but some women in china have tiny foot, because they wear very tighten shoes.
Jul 14th, 2008
jana (4 comments.)
I am totally unaware of the culture of Kayan people. It is unusual wearing 5kg ring in the neck.
Jul 23rd, 2008
CAPPS(new comment)
Wut ahpens if theys choke.? they gots noo space fo aier in ther nek!!
Aug 19th, 2008
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