The Intriguingly Mysterious Story of Sydney Smith, The Giraffe-Necked Woman
Deep Connection to Cultural Identity
The Kayans are subdivided into clans, which include the Lahwi, Gekho, Lahta, Kakhi, and Gebar. Only members of the Kayan Lahwi ethnicity (also called Padaung in Myanmar’s Shan state) wear the brass necklaces. This is a common practice by women.
When questioned about the practice, women stated that it was done to feel linked to their tribe and develop a strong cultural identity. Anthropologists believe it was for cosmetic purposes because long-necked women were considered more feminine. Some say it rendered women unappealing, thereby safeguarding them from enslavement by competing tribes. Others say it was to tie them to the dragon, a key Kayan mythological character.
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