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.

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

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. Nowadays, they are worn to preserve cultural tradition. Girls begin to wear rings around their shins and necks at the age of five or six, but it largely depends on the wealth of the family. Traditionally, the rings are expensive and not every family can afford it. Today, most younger women in the villages of Kayah state choose not to wear the rings, saying it as an antiquated practice. Across the border in northern Thailand, however, the neck rings have recently surged in popularity, attracting curious tourists and revenue for villagers. By Nikolay Korzhov and Andrey Kovalenko. Published On 17 Sep 17 Sep

The neck rings slowly push these bones downwards by around 45 degrees. The vertebrae do not elongate, though the space between them may increase as the intervertebral discs absorb liquid.

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. In a few African and Asian cultures , neck rings are worn usually to create the appearance that the neck has been stretched.

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 before and after

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. In particular, we will look into the origin of neck rings, what status symbols are assigned to it by different cultures, and its overall influences on the lifestyle of the wearer. For several millennia in both Africa and Asia, neck rings are an ancient culture that has been widely accepted. Though the practice seems to be much farther in human history, anthropologists have only been able to trace its beginning back to the eleventh century. They found it was mostly practiced among circles in India, Asia, and Africa. In the Ndebele tribe of South Africa, the ladies not only wear these rings on their neck, but also around their legs and arms. The rings are usually made of copper and brass. The man or husband, in this case, gives these rings to his female partner, and they are worn as a seal of faithfulness, only to be taken off after her demise.

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If the rings are removed, however, that can present some serious problems. Toggle limited content width. As far as when it starts in life, the younger the better. Hidden categories: Articles with short description Short description is different from Wikidata Articles needing additional references from April All articles needing additional references Commons category link is on Wikidata. Are Neck Rings Dangerous? Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Neck rings have been in used for thousands of years. Your cart is currently empty. Purchased from Stevens Auction Rooms in ; New Mandala. Maecenas ac est sit amet augue pharetra convallis nec danos. How Does It Work? Nowadays, they are worn to preserve cultural tradition.

Neck rings are an interesting fashion choice.

Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Our complete gentle jewelry cleaning kit can also provide a deeper clean if that's what is required. The cultural practice does have its drawbacks. Padaung Kayan Lahwi women of the Kayan people begin to wear neck coils from as young as age two. I speak from experience when I say it can be shocking to see a woman wearing a gigantic coil of neck rings. Read Edit View history. Simple Shine Shoe and Jewelry Care. Wearers of neck rings are unable to lean their heads back. Vestibulum sit amet auctor ipsum. This article needs additional citations for verification. I feel it's prudent to add that none of the neck rings used are actually complete 'rings' or circles. In their own homeland, Kayan women could be taken captive and loaned to Thai officials who took them across the border to be displayed at carnivals, county fairs, and "beauty contests". Curiously, the Kayan say this custom was originally established to make women less attractive, thereby protecting them from being kidnapped by rival tribes.