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The Kayan are a sub-group of the Red Karen (Karenni) people, a Tibeto-Burman ethnic minority of Burma. Women of the various Kayan tribes identify themselves by their different form of dress, the Kayan Lahwi tribe being well known for wearing these neck rings, brass coils that are placed around the neck, appearing to lengthen it. Girls first start to wear rings when they are around five years old and over the years the coil is replaced by a longer one with more turns. The weight of the brass pushes the collar bone down and compresses the rib cage. The neck itself is not lengthened; the appearance of a stretched neck is created by the deformation of the clavicle.
A wonderful response to my Q of monks - thank you. P/Ms sent.
Keep warm and safe today.
Dave
| Brand: | Canon |
| Camera: | Canon EOS 7D |
| Lens: | EF-S15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM |
| Recording media: | RAW (digital) |
| Date Taken: | 3 Dec 2012 - 12:22 PM |
| Focal Length: | 67mm |
| Lens Max Aperture: | f/5.4 |
| Aperture: | f/5.6 |
| Shutter Speed: | 1/100sec |
| Exposure Comp: | 0.0 |
| ISO: | 400 |
| Exposure Mode: | Not Defined |
| Metering Mode: | Multi-segment |
| Flash: | Off, Did not fire |
| White Balance: | Auto |
| Title: | Red Karen |
| Username: | 
WhiteRose1 |
| Uploaded: | 19 Jan 2013 - 6:59 AM |
| Tags: | Burman, Karen, Kayan, Landscape / travel, Neck rings, Portrait |
| VS Mode Rating |
100 (50% won) These stats show the percentage of wins and the rating score that your photo has achieved. You can go to the VS Mode by clicking on this icon. Signup to e2Signup to e2 to see which photo this has won or lost against in the vs mode |
| Votes: | 127 |
Comments
Wow you persuaded her to let you get close and she has put a very dignified and stately pose for you. Strong eye contact and the way her adornments frame her face to strengthen the effect. Great diffused lighting at the edge of the building means all those lovely colours are shown off. As exotic travel portraits go, it doesn't really get any better than this!
You are producing a great series and this is a great shot. Sharp, crisp with lovely colours you did very well to catch the detail in your subject despite not using fill flash. keep them coming. Regards
I was just 10 years old back in the early 1950's when I first came aware of these women: a group had been brought over from Burma by Cyril Mills and they toured with Bertram Mills Circus, then the very best circus in the UK.
They were referred to as giraffe necked women..
Then much more recently there was a TV programme in which one was able to see X-rays of these womens' necks and thoraces, and the deformity you describe was quite remarkable.
This is a very fine shot of one these women from this tribe, Dave: did not imagine it would be a subject you'd come across so readily on the 'tourist trail'.
Ronnie.
Quote: Wow you persuaded her to let you get close and she has put a very dignified and stately pose for you. Strong eye contact and the way her adornments frame her face to strengthen the effect. Great diffused lighting at the edge of the building means all those lovely colours are shown off. As exotic travel portraits go, it doesn't really get any better than this!
All the above said by Al, plus a great narrative. Superb Dave...
Quote: An excellent capture, Dave, though I find it rather disturbing, surely they must suffer problems later in life. Carol
I always wondered Dave, how do they live all their lives with these neck rings
Effrossini
I have a correction to make to my comment above, Dave.
On checking up in Cyril Mills story of his father's circus, "Bertram Mills Circus", I discovered that in 1952 a group of these Burmese women had been taken to the USA by an American promoter who had promised that they would be returned to their own country after a certain time. This did not happen and they were posted as missing. Cyril Mills heard about their plight and managed to persuade the authorities that if he could bring them over to Olympia for the Christmas Season of the circus there, he would ensure that they were sent home thereafter. Apparently their side show at Olympia drew enormous crowds. I stated that they toured with the circus, but that was not so........after the Olympia season closed, they were in fact returned to Burma, and they did not tour with the travelling circus.
ronnie.
what a long neck! superb insight to another world, colourful and a wonderful expression captured
Excellent image and very informative write up.
Deep
their goverment should ban it great portrait then
Wonderfully clear and crisp portrait. I don't see this practice as any less bizarre than Western women having breast implants and liposuction.
Good write up Dave, enjoying seeing these Burma captures . Good pose and the colour is spot on.
John
Quote: I was just 10 years old back in the early 1950's when I first came aware of these women: a group had been brought over from Burma by Cyril Mills and they toured with Bertram Mills Circus, then the very best circus in the UK.
They were referred to as giraffe necked women..
Then much more recently there was a TV programme in which one was able to see X-rays of these womens' necks and thoraces, and the deformity you describe was quite remarkable.
This is a very fine shot of one these women from this tribe, Dave: did not imagine it would be a subject you'd come across so readily on the 'tourist trail'.
Ronnie.
A great Portrait. So proud looking . She looks a very intellegent person . Wonder how they wash their necks ?
Brilliant portrait. I came across the Karen in Thailand but they did not have the neck decorations
I think I have a pain in neck all ready just looking at her Dave. It must be so uncomfortable. I am not wonder she is making eye contact with all those rings round her neck neither she can look up or down. I hope they they take them off when they go to bed
.
Anyway, chracking portrait, she is very beautiful so she can have my award.
Elena
It certainly gives her the ring of confidence Dave, these people would find the culture on piercing, on very intimate parts of the body, that goes on in our Country distasteful I expect. The clarity and sparkle in the eye is excellent, great capture.
Regards
Trev.
It must be most uncomfortable for them, but what a super portrait of this lady, Dave - excellent work
Trev
Did they build Pyramids ? what a painful tradition.
A very proud, yet serene looking lady! She has a wonderful feel about her, would loved to have met her!
Shame we didn't meet you on the bridge, could have had a coffee together!
Maggie
Very interesting description - but what an amazing photograph - she looks beautiful - peaceful and serene. 
I am so impressed with the sheer volume of high quality images you managed to take during this trip Dave. Interesting description as well.
Derek
That's an impressive portrait, Dave, enhanced by the yellow and green of her headdress and, of course, those shiny neck rings.
A superb capture of this lady Dave
I have very mixed feelings about the practise - this link gives further information
Helen
excellent portrait, well lit and excellent eye contact.
A very nice portrait pose with lovely colours.
Well down Dave.
A remarkable shot and write-up. Honestly the mind boggles - how can they live with all that around their necks.
Lavina
Brilliant picture Dave, so much colour and character.
John
Another fantastic image Dave.....
I've read about the Karen "hill tribes" before.... love your informative narraqtive.
Gareth
The detail in this image is amazing lovely texture and tone fab
mike
A terrific portrait Dave, those rings look rather painful to wear!
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