Category: Encounters

Young Padaung lady, Northern Thailand

The Padaung (or Kayan) is a Tibeto-Burman ethnic minority of Myanmar (Burma).
In 1990, some Padaung have fled the Burmese regime and crossed the border to settle in Northern Thailand. The Padaung women are known for wearing a spiral-necklace in brass, wrapped around the neck. They start wearing the first necklace at the age of 5. It will be then replaced time after time when the girl is growing up (it is not rings that are added). This tradition gave to Padaung the nickname of “giraffe women” or “long-neck tribe”.