The Padaung is one of the eight ethnic Karen communities (in Myanmar, the Karen is known as Kayah) living in the Kayah state in southwest Myanmar. In fact, the name Padaung is a derogatory term (sounding similar to "toilet post"), and they prefer to be known as the Kayan people. Due to ethnic conflict with the govenment of Myanmar, many Padaung people seek refuge in Thailand, living with uncertain legal status along the border area.
The Padaung are best known for the unusual practise that the Padaung women develop, of wearing brass rings around their necks, arms and legs. As a result, the Padaung women are often called the long-neck women of Myanmar. The brass coils are first applied when the girls are about five years old, and as the girl grows older, longer coils are added. The weight of the brass pushes down the collar bone and compresses the rib cage, giving the appearance of a very long neck.
Padaung lady living near the Ywama village in Inle Lake.
There are different beliefs connected to this unusual tradition. In one of them, a wandering king of ancient Burma arrived in Loikaw, the capital of Kayah state, and fell in love with a Padaung woman. When he left, he made her wear brass rings to elongate her neck, making her less attractive to other men. After he died, the local men continued the practise with their wives, for the same purpose.
According to another belife, the Padaung women wear the rings to protect them from being attacked by tigers, while another reason is placed that the rings protect the women against the slave trade. Yet another reason given is that the rings make the neck resemble that of the dragon. Still, the true origin of the tradition is not known. Most of the Padaung women, when asked, said they wear it for beauty purposes, or because their mother wore the rings, or simply because they are carrying on the tradition as a Padaung.
Contrary to belief, the women can remove the rings without risking breaking their necks. Also, contrary to belief, the women will not suffocate if the rings are removed. Many Padaung women living in Myanmar do remove the coils, because the Myanmar government frowns on the practise of wearing neck coils. However, many Padaung women who have worn the rings for a long time prefer to keep them on, to ride the marks on their necks and collarbones made by long wearing of the coils, and also because, after wearing them for so long, they feel more comfortable having them on.
In our exploration of Asia, I have had the opportunity to visit the Padaung tribe in both Myanmar and Thailand. In both instances, the women are involved in the tourism trade. The practice of wearing neck coils has seen a surge in popularity in recent years because the custom draws tourists who buy their handicrafts. As AsiaExplorers regards itself an environment-friendly organisation, I am drawn to the issue of whether we should encourage such a practise or to condemn it. Having deliberated over it, I decided that the Padaung women has as much right to wear neck coils as we have to wear tattoos, body piercing and ear rings. After all, would you appreciate having some patronising outsider condemning you for wearing tattooes, body piercing or ear rings? Even though the Padaung women cashes in on their unusual practise for tourist money, to me, this is a form of income. So unless we are able to provide them an alternative and better source of income, we should not judge.
Tim visiting the Padaung tribe in Myanmar.
Tim visiting the Padaung tribe in northern Thailand.
Exploring the Sights at Inle Lake
Inle Lake is a picturesque lake in central Myanmar. There are many worthwhile sights to visit around it. Click enter to view them.
About the Author: AsiaExplorers is researched and written by Timothy Tye. We take reasonable care to check and verify the accuracy of the content. However, we disclaim any responsibility for any inconvenience, mishap, injury or death resulting from following the advice provided directly or indirectly by AsiaExplorers and the comments on its pages. All the photographs in AsiaExplorers are available for publication. Please contact AsiaExplorers at the following email address for your enquiries:
