Friday, February 14, 2025

Kayan Tribe in Myanmar

The Padaung Kayan people are a subgroup of the Red Karen (Karenni) people. The tribe is known to inhabit this area of Myanmar as well as Northern Myanmar and Thailand.

During our visit to Inle Lake we visited a shop where a few members of a long neck Padaung Family from a Ywama Village do weaving that they sell in the local area.

We were able to photograph one of the older ladies of the tribe in the small group to capture this image.

Women of the Kayan tribe are well known for wearing neck rings and brass coils that are placed around the neck, appearing to lengthen it.

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.

The weight of the brass pushes the collarbone down and compresses the rib cage.

The neck itself is not lengthened; the appearance of a stretched neck is created by the deformation of the clavicle.

Once the rings are put in place they are very rarely removed because muscles become weak and cannot provide head support after many years.

This group in Myanmar wore one continuous ring while others in Thailand wear individual rings that are stacked together.

There are many theories on why the rings are worn. Some theories state that they are worn to look more attractive with a longer thinner neck.

Other theories say the rings are worn for protection and give the illusion of a dragon. Many women today say it is more about cultural identity than beauty.

I have wanted to visit the tribes in Thailand near the Chang Mai region for some time and this made me want to take the trip even more in the next few years.

Latest

Dine Nashville Announces Five Additional Chef Collaborations

Dine Nashville, The Music City Way, is a month-long...

ShipRocked’s Grand Finale: Beachside Rock, Shredding Contests & 80s Metal Madness

Cruisers Spent the last day of ShipRocked at Carnival’s...

Newsletter

Don't miss

Dine Nashville Announces Five Additional Chef Collaborations

Dine Nashville, The Music City Way, is a month-long...

ShipRocked’s Grand Finale: Beachside Rock, Shredding Contests & 80s Metal Madness

Cruisers Spent the last day of ShipRocked at Carnival’s...

Lee Brice Reflects on His Career, Dream Collaborations, and His Perfect Day in Nashville

Singer, songwriter, and highly accomplished country artist Lee Brice...
Amy Harris
Amy Harris is a writer and photographer who has been traveling for 20 years and flown over 2 million miles to visit over 80 countries on 6 continents. She is a freelance photographer for Invision by Associated Press, AP Images and Rex/Shutterstock. Her work can be seen in various publications and websites including: Rolling Stone, AP Images, National Geographic Books, Fodor’s Travel Guides, Forbes.com, Lonely Planet Travel Guides, JetStar magazine, and Delta Sky Magazine.

Fozzy Covers, Harley Cameron Shines, and Curry Man’s Farewell: A Recap of Saturday’s Rock N Wrestling Rager

Saturday, day two on Chris Jericho’s Rock N Wrestling Rager at Sea started with autograph and photo sessions with wrestlers in both the AEW...

Wrestling, Rock, and Laughs: Inside Day 1 of Chris Jericho’s Rock N Wrestling Rager at Sea

On Friday, January 31, we set out on our second cruise this winter season; Chris Jericho’s Rock N Wrestling Rager At Sea: Six on...

Dine Nashville Announces Five Additional Chef Collaborations

Dine Nashville, The Music City Way, is a month-long celebration of collaborative chef experiences, Restaurant Week + special local offerings. Recently, Dine Nashville announced...

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here