Kayan tribe
The Kayan are an ethnic minority of Burma (Myanmar). The Kayan Lahwi is the group whose women identify themselves by wearing large neck rings, brass coils that are placed around the neck.
Girls first start to wear rings when they are around five years old. Over the years the coil is replaced by a longer one and more turns are added. (some can weigh around 5 kg).
The Kayan live in the hills in Northern Thailand in the provence of Mae Hong Son. In the late 1980's due to a conflict with the military regime in Burma, many Kayan tribes fled to the Thai border. Among the refugee camps set up there was a Long neck section, which became a tourist site, self-sufficient on tourist revenue and not needing financial assistance.
Nai Soi, Mae Hong Son, Thailand 2013
©Ingetje Tadros
Kayan tribe
The Kayan are an ethnic minority of Burma (Myanmar). The Kayan Lahwi is the group whose women identify themselves by wearing large neck rings, brass coils that are placed around the neck.
Girls first start to wear rings when they are around five years old. Over the years the coil is replaced by a longer one and more turns are added. (some can weigh around 5 kg).
The Kayan live in the hills in Northern Thailand in the provence of Mae Hong Son. In the late 1980's due to a conflict with the military regime in Burma, many Kayan tribes fled to the Thai border. Among the refugee camps set up there was a Long neck section, which became a tourist site, self-sufficient on tourist revenue and not needing financial assistance.
Nai Soi, Mae Hong Son, Thailand 2013
©Ingetje Tadros