ArtHub

Padaung Culture

These images represent an old story, but they still have the power to fascinate the observer.  The women are said to wear the brass coils for cultural/tribal reasons. It’s become their own standard of beauty. The longer the woman’s neck is, the more attractive and elegant she is. And perhaps, more desirable in the eyes of men? The long neck women (aka Padaung or Kayan) are famous all over the world. Their appearance is unique and one of a kind. It’s recorded that natives start wearing rings when they are 5 years old and a new circle is added every 2 years. They are said to wear a maximum 30 brass coils. To me, they hold their posture with dignity.

Images from R. Moreira & Santarem Collaboration