A young girl from the Kayan tribe by Anges van der Logt

About "A young girl from the Kayan tribe"

by Anges van der Logt

About the artwork

Women with long necks, often referred to as the "longneck"women or the Kayan women, are a subgroup of the Karen tribe in Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand. They are known for the copper rings they wear around their necks, which make their necks appear longer, although the neck itself does not actually lengthen; the rings push down the collarbones. There are several theories as to why Kayan women wear the rings. Long necks are seen as an ideal of beauty by the Kayan, and the rings are worn to achieve this ideal. The rings are also said to protect women from attacks, especially from tigers, which traditionally attack the necks of their prey. The rings may also be a traditional symbol and help women identify themselves as members of their tribe. Although Kayan women traditionally lived in Myanmar's Kayah State, many of them have fled to the Thai border region and also live around Inle Lake in Myanmar. Inle Lake is a popular tourist destination, and the Kayan women have become a well-known attraction, although not without controversy. Important to know: The rings are not simply taken off, and the women's necks have become accustomed to the support of the rings. It is not that the women wear the rings to earn money from tourists, although they do depend on selling goods to tourists. It is important to treat the culture and traditions of Kayan women with respect.