African neck rings before and after

Neck rings are an interesting fashion choice. Many cultures have a different standard of beauty, and while I can't quite identify why somebody would make the choice to wear neck rings I certainly respect njlm choice to do so. Neck rings are used to give the appearance of an elongated neck in many countries throughout Africa and Asia.

Pan Pat, Myanmar — Women of the Kayan tribe in Myanmar are well known for wearing brass coils around their necks their entire lives in order to lengthen it. The belief is the longer the neck, the more beautiful the woman. The cultural practice does have its drawbacks. The brass coils can weigh up to 20 kilogrammes, making work in the fields extremely painful and difficult. Curiously, the Kayan say this custom was originally established to make women less attractive, thereby protecting them from being kidnapped by rival tribes.

African neck rings before and after

Purchased from Stevens Auction Rooms in ; From the age of about five, a girl is fitted with a small coil around the neck. According to tradition, not all Kayan girls are entitled to wear them, only those born on auspicious days of the week and while the moon is waxing. It was thought that the rings were separate and just added on top of one another but in fact the ornament is always just one long strip of polished metal, wound into spirals. As the girl grows older, the ornaments are progressively replaced by ones with more coils until marriage when a final tower of coils like the one shown here is worn. These are augmented by smaller sets of rings on the arms and legs as well as heavy ear earrings. It is a misconception that the neck- rings 'push' the head upward. They are in fact so heavy that they cause the vertebrae to compress, gradually forcing the collarbone and ribcage into an inverted V-shape. This creates the illusion of a proportionally very long neck, and the women are not necessarily much taller than is normal. Herein lies the root of the lowland-Burmese name for the tribe, Paduang, which means, 'long necks'. The neck does not collapse if the rings are removed in adulthood although most women prefer not to do this as the neck is weakened, bruised and discoloured after so many years. There are several explanations for the neck-rings.

Lifestyle Changes Needed Obviously such a drastic change in appearance can lead to some semi-dramatic lifestyle changes. Download as PDF Printable version. January 25, What will be the jewelry trend forecast for ?

Neck rings , or neck-rings , are any form of stiff jewellery worn as an ornament around the neck of an individual, as opposed to a loose necklace. Many cultures and periods have made neck rings, with both males and females wearing them at various times. Of the two most notable types, one is the torc , an often heavy and valuable ornament normally open at the throat. These were worn by various early cultures but are especially associated with the ancient Celts of the European Iron Age , where they were evidently a key indicator of wealth and status , mostly worn by men. The other type is one or more spiral metal coils of many turns, often worn only by married women.

Neck rings are an interesting fashion choice. Many cultures have a different standard of beauty, and while I can't quite identify why somebody would make the choice to wear neck rings I certainly respect their choice to do so. Neck rings are used to give the appearance of an elongated neck in many countries throughout Africa and Asia. I say 'give the appearance' because these neck rings don't actually stretch the neck. We will get into what is actually happening, as well as taking a look at the cultural significance of this fascinating practice. I've seen this in action for myself on a trip to Thailand and neck stretching can't truly be appreciated until you actually lay eyes on it for yourself. Well, as stated the neck isn't actually being stretched by these rings.

African neck rings before and after

African neck rings are a form of body modification that has been practiced for centuries by various tribes and cultures in Africa. They are coils of metal, usually brass or copper, that are worn around the neck, arms, and legs to create the illusion of a long and slender neck. They are also known as neck coils, necklaces, or chokers. The origin and purpose of African neck rings are not very clear, but there are different theories and stories that explain why they are worn. Some believe that they are a symbol of wealth, status, and beauty, while others think that they are a way of protecting the wearer from wild animals or enemies. Some also say that they are a sign of loyalty and fidelity between a husband and wife. African neck rings have different meanings and significance depending on the tribe and culture that wears them. Here are some examples of how African neck rings are used and interpreted by different groups:. They wear them on their neck, arms, and legs as a sign of beauty and identity.

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Neck rings are an interesting fashion choice. As far as when it starts in life, the younger the better. January 12, What are some jewelry cleaning life hacks that I need to know? Instead, the clavicle is deformed and pushed downwards. Toggle limited content width. Final Thoughts I speak from experience when I say it can be shocking to see a woman wearing a gigantic coil of neck rings. Forgot your password? The other type is one or more spiral metal coils of many turns, often worn only by married women. Tourism is often considered to encourage the use of neck rings in Myanmar , as they are a popular attraction for tourists. Another legend claims that neck rings were used to make women less desirable to neighboring tribes and so they were less prone to be kidnapped. It can also reshape the ribs in the same way. Article Talk. Today, most younger women in the villages of Kayah state choose not to wear the rings, saying it as an antiquated practice.

However, one of the apparently most archaic forms of these modifications is wearing neck rings. Neck rings are worn for different reasons peculiar to the person and tribe, but the most obvious one is to create an impression of a long neck.

Our complete gentle jewelry cleaning kit can also provide a deeper clean if that's what is required. In other projects. Check Out View Cart. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Neck rings. Simple Shine Shoe and Jewelry Care. It is a misconception that the neck- rings 'push' the head upward. Neck rings are still worn permanently by members of many cultures, and it has been somewhat adopted by even Western countries. What is the best way to buy expensive jewelry on a budget? Traditionally these rings are given to a wife by her husband, and not removed until the husband's death; however, these rings are individual and do not function as a body modification. This article needs additional citations for verification. Close Customer Login:.