The Long Neck people are an ethnic group famed for their tradition of women wearing brass rings around their necks. The people have become refugees from Myanmar (Burma), and the vast majority of the Long Necks live among 110,000 other refugees in camps on the Thai side of the border. The United Nations claim that the Long Necks are refugees for political reasons, while Thailand withholds that the reasons are economical. Regardless of cause, the Long Necks are bereft of their personal identification documents and in practice, they are prisoners without chains…
Acting as a “human zoo” for tourists, the Long Necks contribute considerably to the economy of Thailand. In return for being on display, they receive a monthly ration of rice and, given that the traditional rings are worn, also minor financial compensation.
It has been speculated that the rings were worn to protect against tigers striking for the throat, but this has subsequently been identified as a myth. According to their own history, women of the Long Necks have worn the rings since 1070 AD, mostly for decoration and to gain status.
The women start wearing the rings very early on, and this has a considerable effect on the bodies of the young women. The collarbones and ribs collapse from the pressure of the rings, weighing in at between six and seven kilograms for a grown woman. This collapse of the skeleton is what causes the impression of prolonged necks.
In the tourist villages you can see women weave and do handiwork, but the craft is only a way for the previous rice farmers to supplement the rations of rice.
Jonas Palm
After taking part in a military photography-training program in the early 70’s, I have been working professionally with photography. In 1976 I started running my own company, and the focus of the work has been documenting different tribes, cultures, and people. Since four years, my wife Kai and I also supports and is involved with one of the Long Neck families. You can contact me at: jonas.palm@edu.avesta.se
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