June 2016

The Kayan are a sub-group of Red Karen people residing in Myanmar. Due to political instability in Myanmar during the late 1980s and early 1990s, some Kayan people fled to the Northern Thai area, such as Chiang Rai. The Kayan females are characterized by their elongated necks, which are deformed by heavy brass rings. There are different reasons for the Kayan females to wear these brass rings. According to the oral tradition, their ancestors did so to protect their necks against tigers. Some said in the past men perceived long neck women as more attractive. Today some people might be repulsed by this seemingly child abuse, but there is no report of compulsion in maintaining this cultural heritage.

Photos taken by Alex Yu