Giraffe Women by Mariola

Saturday, 12th May 2007

Giraffe Women

by Mariola

Padaung ladies, Bima. These women from the country of Myanmar begin to wear neck rings when they are children. Gradually with age the number of “brass coils” worn increases to elongate the neck.

Equipment: Canon Digital IXUS 750

Mariola

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11 Comments

Paul Indigo Says:
May 12th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Fascinating image. I like the expressions you captured and thank you for the informative note too.
jabi Says:
May 14th, 2007 at 7:31 am
Interesting!

there is also a tribe in Kenya (East Africa) who have the same customs..
who would guess that people so far apart (continent-wise) would be so similar?
poster boy Says:
May 14th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
I guess the question is ‘why?’

Great photo though with nice exposure.
Photo Buffet Says:
May 14th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
Fascinating photo. I’m interested in hearing more about this custom. Why is it important for them to have elongated necks, anyway?
Cass Says:
May 15th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
Interesting photo and custom.
EST Says:
May 16th, 2007 at 11:48 pm
It seems the origins of the custom got lost - I found this on the internet:
‘Various origins of the custom are cited, ranging from protection against tiger attacks to symbols of wealth and status. One myth tells of a beautiful dragon with a long neck that was impregnated by the wind to produce the first Padaung people.’
Well, probably it has been just a concept of beauty - we paint our fingernails red, pierce our ears and noses…
Anyway - fascinating photo!
Ryan Chappell Says:
May 19th, 2007 at 3:02 am
The Karen tribe of Myanmar (in which some of the women choose to wrap coils around their neck to give them an elongated appearance) have a very interesting and recently very violent and sad history. Many have been forced from their homes by the ruling government in Myanmar and there has been much fighting between the Karen and the Myanmar government. There are many stories around about a genocide taking place at this very moment in Myanmar and more refugees flee the government into Thailand every day. An estimated 200,000 people have already left their homes to flee into poorly maintained refugee camps in northern Thailand. With little opportunity to support themselves in the Thai economy some turn to tourism to bring a little extra money, putting themselves on display for a fee. Often these displays are poor representations of the charismatic and wonderful traditional agricultural lifestyle that the Karen people support themselves through.

A great photo and a great way to raise some awareness of the plight of the Karen people. More information can be found at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_people

http://www.karenhilltribes.org.uk/
Eli Shams Says:
May 24th, 2007 at 9:06 am
Most impressiove image, superbe composition.
jay Says:
July 29th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
I’m guessing if they take the rings off, their neck muscles will be too weak to support their heads.
Dennis Says:
November 11th, 2007 at 1:43 am
Well crafted travel portraits. Where in Myanmar did you take these shots? I have seen ladies from the same “tribe” across the border in Thailand. I will be visiting Myanmar in January - hopefully. The political situation is a bit scary.
Anurag Says:
May 9th, 2008 at 8:27 am
You are absolutely right Jay. Their neck becomes too weak to support their head.
And, Its very very uncomfortable. So much trouble - Just for the sake of beauty!!?