Different Views of Wearing Neck Coils

In the Tibeto-Burman community, the Kayans are further divided into tribes: Lahvi, Gekho, Lahta, Lakhi, and Gebar. Kayan Lahwi members wear a brass necklace, while their women also wear neck rings that serve multiple purposes, including the portrayal of traditions.

According to women of the clan, they wear these rings to show an association with their tribe. While the researchers of the history of societies claim the primary use of donning the neck coils is to achieve an aesthetic goal. Others assert that it is to save them from slavery by other tribes or to bind them to the dragon, an imaginary character of Kayan.

Previously women used to believe that wearing coils was necessary to maintain their connection with their culture and was important to enhance their beauty. But later, they realize that they could gel up well with society and broaden the horizon of prosperity by removing them. In 2006, the women of Mae Hong Son gave up the tradition to eliminate the mistreatment.

When the waves of awareness approached Myanmar, the administration made women do away with this tradition to avoid backlash against ignorance by the West. They wanted to show a positive and cultured image to the sophisticated nations. They considered this loop-wearing custom a hindrance to achieving this goal.

Recalling Strange Practices of Southeast Asian People