Friday, June 13, 2014

Weekend in Black and White

While traveling in Myanmar we saw this woman, wearing extraordinary neck jewelry. She belongs to the Padaung tribe. To call them "Giraffe Women " is an insult. They start to wear the neck rings from a very early age and it seems, that by doing so, their neck is being lengthened but in fact the weight of the rings pushes down the collar bone and causes the deformation of the clavicle.
This woman supported herself and her granddaughter by weaving traditional fabric. Many women of the Padaung now started to break with the tradition and decide not to wear the rings. Removing the rings - even after many years - is not dangerous, only uncomfortable.






16 comments:

  1. Wow, very special and a great b&w post!
    My post at: http://hanshb.wordpress.com/

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  2. Ein faszinierendes Volk, ich war mal Thailnad in der nähe einer Siedlung, bin aber nicht hingefahren weil es sich etwas nach Menschenzoo angehört hat. Die Frauen die mit der Tradition brechen kann ich sehr gut verstehen, es sieht exotisch aus aber ein Leben mit den Ringen ist sicher kein Vergnügen.

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  3. Beautiful B & W portraits and interesting information about this tribe.

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  4. Fascinating information, and such beautiful b&w portraits.

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  5. Oh my...! Great photos of a special lady.

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  6. Schönes Portrait, Karen.
    Ich denke mal, dass sich die Dame gegen ein kleines Entgeld den vermehrt nach Myanmar kommenden Touristen als Fotoobjekt zur Verfügung stellt. Oder bin ich da schief gewickelt?
    Oder hattest du als Frau einen leichteren Zugang zu ihr - schließlich will sich nicht jeder / jede so intim fotografieren lassen.
    Gruß und schönes Wochenende,
    Uwe.

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    1. Vermutlich wird es in Zukunft aehnliche Touristendoerfer wie in Thailand geben , viele Padaung haben waehrend des in Myanmar Zuflucht in Thailand gesucht, dort sind sie dann von der Tourismusindustrie verwurstelt worden.Diese Frau hier haben wir in ihrem Haus getroffen, vielleicht hatte sie ihren freien Tag?

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  7. Fascinating post, and great portraits. I particularly like the second.

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  8. Really like the top shot - heaven knows how they wear those.

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  9. Lovely portraits of a Padaung woman. They are special.
    Thanks for stopping by.
    www.homezweethome.info/2014/06/pillars-in-palace.html

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  10. She is beautiful. I am sure they adjust to wearing them, but it seems that would be uncomfortable! I guess it is what you get used to. You are fortunate to see these cultures up close.

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  11. It is extraordinary and you can't help but think it is better for the women's health that they break with this tradition, but it must be a difficult choice for some women to part with their heritage.
    Great post, makes you think!
    Wren x

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  12. Schaurig anzusehen... aber das ist da eben so Sitte. Ein wirklich interessantes Bild!
    LG, Petra

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  13. Love that first shot Karen... she carries herself with so much beauty and grace. I often wondered about those neck rings, very interesting tradition indeed. I suppose they live in them - bathe, sleep, etc...

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  14. I found this tradition amazing...but also seems good that they are breaking from it...I can't imagine sleeping with that! Great captures!

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