Long Neck Karen
Symbol Of Beauty
Among the smallest Karen tribes in Thailand are the Karen Padaung . These are a predominant tribe in Burma and there they occupy an entire state of the west central part of that country. They have a long history, much of which is known. The Karen-Padaung occupied central Burma before the Burmese arrived from the North and they, together with the ancient Mon, farmed the Irrawaddy and Salween Valleys and built civilizations based on their unique cultures.
Today, a small number of Karen - Padaung tribes reside in Thailand . Some are in the Mae Hong Son area of the Northwest. These are most commonly known as the Long-Necks , this term signifying the practice of adorning their women with brass rings around the neck.
There are many different accounts of why the Padaung practice this bizarre custom. Their own mythology explains that it is done to prevent tigers from biting them! Others have reported that it is done to make the women unattractive so they are less likely to be captured by slave traders. The most common explanation, though, is the opposite of this - that an extra-long neck is considered a sign of great beauty and wealth and that it will attract a better husband