Facts about long-necked women of Padaung tribe

Jul 30, 2023 Timesofindia

A tribe from Myanmar

The Padaung tribe is a subgroup of the larger Kayah tribe in Myanmar. The tribe is named after the Padaung region, where most of them live. canva

The long-necked women

The Padaung have no formal written language, but what they stand out for are their long-necked women. canva

"Padaung" means "long neck"

A typical Padaung woman's traditional look comprises a colourful turban-like headscarf, a sarong-like dress and leggings. canva

Gosh! Those metal coils

Shockingly, the Padaung’s famous long-necked women wear brass coils around their necks. canva

Symbolic meaning

The brass-gold coils are believed to be a symbol of wealth, position and beauty. canva

Starting young

The women are made to wear the heavy coils starting from age 5 to 9, and more rings are added as they age! canva

Daily struggles

These tribal women have to drink using straws due to the restrictions posed by heavy coils. canva

A matter of concern

According to the British journalist J.G. Scott, the voices of these tribal women sound "as if they were speaking from the bottom of a well.” canva

Married to coils

Wearing such heavy rings for a prolonged period of time has serious health implications. However, these women are not supposed to remove them except during bath-time. canva

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