The Kayan are a subgroup of the Karenni people, an ethnic minority of Burma (also
known as Myanmar) in South-East Asia. The Kayan are made up of various tribes who
identify themselves by their forms of dress. The women of the Kayan Lahwi tribe are
well known for wearing neck rings: brass coils that are worn around the neck, appearing
to lengthen it. The women who wear these coils are known as "Long Necks" or "Giraffe
Women" to tourists.
Kayan girls first start to wear rings when they are around five or six years old. Over the
years, the coil is replaced by a longer one and more turns are added. The rings weigh
an average of four to six kilos, which push the collarbones down and compresses the rib
cage. Contrary to popular belief, the neck itself is not lengthened; rather, the
appearance of a stretched neck is created by the deformation of the clavicle.
Anthropologists have suggested many conflicting reasons for the rings, including that
they made the women more sexually attractive, or alternatively protected them from
becoming slaves by making them less attractive to other tribes. Some have suggested
that the coils give the women the appearance of a dragon - an important figure in
Kayan folklore - or that they protect them from tiger bites. Kayan women acknowledge these ideas, but say they wear the rings for cultural identity
as well as to enhance their beauty.
Coiling and uncoiling the ring is a lengthy process. It is usually only removed to be
replaced by a new or longer coil. Eventually, the neck muscles may become weakened
but are still able to support the head if the coil is removed. Although many women have
removed the rings for medical examinations, most prefer to continue to wear them as
the area can become bruised and discoloured.
In Thailand, the practice of wearing the rings amongst Kayan refugees has gained
popularity because it draws tourists who bring revenue to the tribe and to the local
businessmen who run the villages and collect an entry fee of 250 baht per person.