THE PADAUNG


The Padaung
The Padaung are found in a 150-square-mile area of Kayah State and Shan State, west of the Salween river and around the Pekon hills, which rise to 5,000 feet. For centuries they have been objects of curiosity and were once brought to the palace of the King of Mandalay for inspection. They are part of the Kayan subgroup of Karens. Although known in the world as Padaung, they call themselves Ka-Kaung, which means people who live on top of the hill.


The Padaungs are often nicknamed ‘giraffe women’ or the ‘long-necked Karens’ because of the custom of encasing the neck in brass coils. The practice is fast disappearing, and today can only be found in a few villages. When a girl is aged between five and nine, her neck is rubbed with ointment said to be made of dog fat, coconut milk and royal jelly, and the first neck ring is fitted. After two years, the next set of coils is added and every year therefore she gains a new set until she marries.

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16 comments:

Full-On-Forward said...

I am soo here!! Awesome-- Do you mind if I follow along??

John

J.J. Charles said...

Wow I really love your posts! I first learned about The Padaung last year and I was so fascinated by their customs. Thank you so much for re-awaking my memory of them and for stopping by my little blog :) Lotsa Love,
J.J Charles

Anonymous said...

Carrego flores no meu olhar
E um bosque encantado a ser decantado...
Pelas trilhas iluminadas da minha alma

D.Flor

Beijos e flores no seu Domingo M@ria

Awais said...

Very nice blog :)
Regards
http://goolgeme.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Bellissime immagini complimenti!

Cloudia said...

fascinating!





Aloha from Waikiki

Comfort Spiral

ninalazina said...

Fascinating indeed. Why do they wear the brace is it to make their necks longer? Does it work?
Nina

ninalazina said...

PS - i live the images you have used on your blog. absolutely beautiful.
nina

Janet Toney said...

ma thet zin,
I don't know how you frond my blog, but very happy you did and that I've come to yours. Quite interesting! Beautiful photos and very educational for many I'm sure. It is for me.
Thank you for the connection.
Janet

Hold my hand: a social worker's blog said...

I love your blog! Very refreshing, and interesting. Thanks for visiting and following mine.

Have a great day!

Doris
www.doris-socialworker.blogspot.com

Awais said...

fascinating
cool ya this is truely a hard work

flying eagle woman said...

I'm SO following you! THanks for stopping by MY blog! AMAZING and FASCINATING!
Shawna

Furry Bottoms said...

Do they get to remove the coils once they marry?

Momo said...

beautiful!

Luuuuuua said...

superb blog,imi place enorm,bravo

Capitan Planeta said...

debe ser incomodo

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