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When we were in Chiang Mai, Tricia and I arranged ourselves a trip to a Karen hill tribe village some distance outside the city. The Karen people are mainly situated in Burma, but some are settled over the border in Northern Thailand. It is believed that their ancestors originated from Tibet. The village was found up a narrow track and was built on the side of a steep hill.
It is traditional for the Karen women to wear spirals around their necks that give the appearance of giraffe-like proportions. The origins of the tradition are uncertain. We were told by our guide that young girls from around the age of five wear a small(ish!) spiral, which is changed at puberty for a larger and longer spiral, with the final change coming when they reach adulthood. We were also told that they are even buried wearing their spiral and that the only time that they take it off is on their wedding night. The spirals are heavy and one version of the tale tells that the weight slowly crushes the collar bones to give the appearance of the long neck, while the second and possibly more accurate version asserts that the weight causes the rib cage to 'sag', pulling down the shoulders and giving the long neck appearance.
The image above is of a young Karen girl aged about ten years old. She was a beautiful child but unfortunately she did not embellish that beauty with a smile. I did not ask her to pose, I simply captured the image as she stood leaning against a table. The village was full of traditional handicrafts for sale and when we purchased some items from the young girl, we got a most gorgeous smile, but this was so fleeting that it was not possible to capture it.
I am very busy at the moment following up a review meeting with social services and health authorities regarding the immediate and longer term care provision for Tricia's mum, who has Alzheimer's. I will endeavour to catch up on portfolios and recent uploads over the coming days, but if I simply click rather than comment, I hope you will understand.
| Title: | Long Neck Karen |
| Username: | 
AlanBW |
| Uploaded: | 15 Apr 2008 - 9:18 AM |
| Camera: | Fujifilm FinePix S9500 Zoom |
| Lens: | 28-300 |
| Recording media: | JPEG (digital) |
| Tags: | Candid, General, Girl, Karen, Long neck, Photo journalism, Portrait, Portraits / people, Thailand, Travel |
| Votes: | 201 |
| Modifications Welcome (Upload a Modification) |
Comments
Wonderful image Alan and a very informative write up. Shame she didn't smile for you though. Good luck with your review meeting. Hope all goes well.
I am currently offshore and internet access is limited so apologies for the sporadic clicks and comments.
Paul
I have mixed feelings on this. She is so beautiful, her look is dignified and graceful, she doesn't need to smile. But it's a horrendous practice.
Moira
Thank you for the information, I think it is better really that she did not smile, she is rather hauntingly beautiful and a smile may have destroyed that look.
I am so pleased that this particular tradition did not catch on here!! On her wedding night when she takes it off she must surely feel dizzy, and not just with love either.
Great shot
Mavis
Poor thing but I guess it's their tradition and perhaps we shouldn't judge.
Well captured - beautiful image.
Marilyn x
excellent image...she looks so sad .. she is a beautiful little girl..
Very interesting info - and a lovely photo. Do agree with Dawn though that she does look sad. Bruce
As always Alan, your patient and full explaination adds to the impact of the image.
Nick
It's a great portrait.
But I am not sure I agree with young girls wearing neck rings I know it must be their custom but I feel it's barbaric & not good for the young girls well being
Glynnis
A superb shot, and such a lovely informative write up.
Geoff.
This is a lovely portrait, Alan, and your narrative is so interesting. I cannot believe that those rings are comfortable. However, when I think of what women here do to themselves in the name of fashion, the mind boggles. I would assume that the rings are compulsory and that she has no choice. That's something different.
Fabulous shot. I always thought it actually did elongate the neck and that they couldn't remove them, you learn something new every day.
Andy
An excellent image and narrative Alan. I bet it must be jolly uncomfortable wearing one of those for any length of time!
Nice candid of a lovely child. Wish I could take those rings off her.
Mac
lovely Alan and excellent editorial as well
Anne
ps hope all goes well with meeting
Anne
Historical and timeless piece of work of art. Excellent shot Alan.
Dennis
Other culture, other traditions.
A most beautiful face. Great photography JNC
A lovely image, great info.
Hope all goes well for Tricia's mum.
Christine
She is stunningly beautiful for one so young. When she is older she won't have a problem finding a husband!! Truly an amazing write up Alan, and great portrait too.
Fran
An interesting and really excellent portrait.
Ken
ps, been away for a while moving house. Spent most of yesterday on my mobile phone getting broadband and cable tv to work, I've got to wait until next friday to have my landline working! (i've only moved 1.5 miles!
Great shot, nice journalism work, nice to be able to travel as much as you do.
Another beautiful capture. She is such a lovely child and although it is fascinating to learn about the world's customs and traditions I find this custom quite horrific. I work in the Children's Department of our local Hospital and I think this tradition is sheer child abuse!
Sandra
A Haunting image Alan and a beautiful shot..
Sandra is so so right
Don
I'm with Moira on this. It's a nice portrait. I find her non-smiling face appropriate for what the spiral is going to do to her body.
What a little beauty she is! Such a lovely face and those dark eyes are amazing.
Great description to the image, I wonder how they get the that thing off their neck,
Johanna
was not aware that they still followed this tradition...what a lovely girl though..she is sweet looking.
Quote: It's a great portrait.
But I am not sure I agree with young girls wearing neck rings I know it must be their custom but I feel it's barbaric & not good for the young girls well being
Glynnis
A terrific portrait but very sad that's it's 2008 and women 'endure' this type of thing. I cannot begin to imagine how uncomfortable it must be having to wear such an item.
Lisa
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