The giraffe women of the Kayan tribe

By Bunmi Adigun @Bunmi_Adigun

FOR centuries the women of the Kayan tribe have sported elaborate brass coils around their necks causing many to dub them the giraffe women

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The tribe live in the north west of Thailand and have worn the coils for centuries

The tribe live in the north west province of Mae Hong Son in Thailand and are well known in the area for their distinctive look and age old tradition.

Since the mid 80s many tourists have flocked to the area to see the various Kayan tribe villages scattered among the rugged landscape of the region.

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At the tender age of five young girls in the tribe get given the coils for the first time

Thai photographer Nuttuwut Jaroenchai, 34, snapped the people of the tribe during a recent visit.

He said: “I decided I wanted to find out about them. My first impression when I saw them was that it was amazing and that they look beautiful.”

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Thai photographer Nuttuwut Jaroenchai, 34, spent two days in the region snapping the tribe

The full time photographer spent two days in the region visiting various Kayan villages and documenting the day-to-day lives of the women in the tribe.

At the tender age of five the young girls among the Kayan tribe start wearing the brass coil, as they grow new coils are added.

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Although the tradition is centuries old the practice is still thriving among the younger generation

Women in the tribe are not prohibited from taking off their coil, however many see it as a form of beauty by showing off their felinity and giving the impression of a long slender neck.

Nuttuwut said: “They take off their coils when they have to change it. They also take it off when needed such as when a doctor needs to examine them.

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There are many theories even among the Kayan as to why the women wear coils

"I met one Kayan girl who had just come from Chiang Mai by bus and she took off her coils to be more comfortable when she travelled.”

For years many experts such as anthropologists have theorised why the women wear the coils and it is also a bone of contention among the tribe itself as there are varying accounts as to why.

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The coils, which are made from brass, are extended as the wearer grows

Some believe it was used centuries ago as a way to prevent the women of the tribe from being enslaved by neighbouring communities as they would be deemed unattractive.

Another theory is that the coils help protect the women of the tribe from tiger attacks as the coils covers the neck.

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Females in the tribe are allowed to take off the coils if they want to

The most widely accepted theory is that it is used as a way to enhance a woman’s beauty and femininity.

Nuttuwut said: “They wear the coils to make their necks long. The longer the neck the more beautiful they are. Some say that the coils indicate a social status.”

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The coils do not stretch the necks but rather causes the clavicle or collar bone to collapse
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The necks of the women are seen as a sign of femininity among the Kayan tribe

Contrary to their nick name as 'giraffe women' the tribe members actually have normal sized necks.

The weight of the coils actually causes their clavicle or collar bone to collapse which helps to give the elusion of an extended neck.

Despite the potential health risks of the coils many Kayan women still wear them as a badge of honour and see it as a vital part of their culture.

Nuttuwut said: “Nowadays the women of the tribe have a choice to wear the coils or not but it is still popular among the younger generations.”