Long neck woman weaving Yarn.
In the Northwest of Thailand lies the village of Huay Pu Keng, where the Karenni people, known as the long neck tribe, are living.
These people are origi...
Read more
In the Northwest of Thailand lies the village of Huay Pu Keng, where the Karenni people, known as the long neck tribe, are living.
These people are originally from Myanmar, but many of them fled to Thailand in the 1980s and 1990s to escape from violence and forced labour by the military junta in their homeland.
Women of the tribe identify themselves by their dress and their brass neck rings. In their tradition, girls start to wear rings when they are around 5 years old. The coils are seldom removed. Many ideas regarding the coils have been theorized, ranging from protecting women from becoming slaves to other tribes or to prevent them from tiger bites. Some also say that if they remove the rings, they will die, but this is a blatant lie told by Thai tour guides trying to make their story more sensational!
The rings push down the collar bones and are a huge strain on the body, they can weight 20 kg.
However, the actual purpose for wearing the rings is cultural identity, associated with beauty. In Thailand, the practice of wearing neck rings among the women has gained popularity due to the fact that it draws tourist attention to bring revenue to the tribe. The women are free to wear the rings, but they are even eager to wear it as it is a way to keep their traditions alive.
Read less
These people are originally from Myanmar, but many of them fled to Thailand in the 1980s and 1990s to escape from violence and forced labour by the military junta in their homeland.
Women of the tribe identify themselves by their dress and their brass neck rings. In their tradition, girls start to wear rings when they are around 5 years old. The coils are seldom removed. Many ideas regarding the coils have been theorized, ranging from protecting women from becoming slaves to other tribes or to prevent them from tiger bites. Some also say that if they remove the rings, they will die, but this is a blatant lie told by Thai tour guides trying to make their story more sensational!
The rings push down the collar bones and are a huge strain on the body, they can weight 20 kg.
However, the actual purpose for wearing the rings is cultural identity, associated with beauty. In Thailand, the practice of wearing neck rings among the women has gained popularity due to the fact that it draws tourist attention to bring revenue to the tribe. The women are free to wear the rings, but they are even eager to wear it as it is a way to keep their traditions alive.
Read less
Views
296
Likes
Awards
People's Choice in Show neck Photo Challenge
People's Choice in Culture and Tradition Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Superior Skill
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Genius
Categories
kurtsnyder
January 09, 2022
Yikes Joop! Is her neck stretched that much?? It woudl seem that would cause many medical issues and pain. Kurt
Hitthepenny
January 11, 2022
Fascinating photo. It looks like she is weaving on a variation of a back-strap loom.
ronjudyluv2travel
January 12, 2022
Different strokes for different folks! I’m feeling taller every day!
Dhruthi369
January 20, 2022
My first reaction was Oh My God!
Sir you should even see some African tribes where they wear mouth and ear plates! Check this out!!
Sir you should even see some African tribes where they wear mouth and ear plates! Check this out!!
Romea
August 08, 2023
🏆 Congrats
you won
\"People's Choice in my photo challenge.
\"SHOW NECK\"
Thanks for the story, behind!
you won
\"People's Choice in my photo challenge.
\"SHOW NECK\"
Thanks for the story, behind!
Same photographer See all
Discover more photos See all