The Padong Karen is most known for their long necks. This tribe is a more recent arrival from Myanmar and as a result still does not enjoy the citizenry privileges as some of the other tribal communities. The folks of this tribe are restricted to designated emigrants camps, have no rights to land-ownership and are thus only able to work in the farms owned by the Akhas etc for very low wages. They supplement their income by selling their crafts and from gifts and tips they earned from tourists who came to photograph them at their villages.
The custom of wearing neck rings from very young and adding more rings every five years is practised because of the community's view of 'beauty' of the 'long neck'. The neck rings are made of aluminium and copper and weigh a ton!
this lady is a 'beauty'....
the young girl on the left is only 19and she already has 2 children and wishes for 10....
her younger sister is weaving in the background
the young mother and her sister
even this 2 year old baby has started to wear a neck ring
this girl is the daughter of the lady above
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