Longevity

Is there any object suggestive of torture and beauty equivalent to the coils worn by Padaung women of Myanmar? Placed on a girl’s neck at approximately five years old, additional coils are gradually added and can stretch the neck to nearly 15 inches. Although in some African and Asian cultures neck rings are also worn by men, it is most commonly found on women.

Although there is some dispute about the reasons for collapsing the vertebrae and forcing the collarbone and ribcage of a person into unusual positions in order to appear more beautiful, there is no argument the bodily modification is unnatural. Some stories suggest the practice was at one time a way to distinguish people of one tribe from another. Other stories attribute neck coils to historical beliefs they provided protection from wild animals who often grasp the necks of their prey, or proclaim the tradition draws upon the same magic healing power of a Dragon Mother whose neck was similarly adorned with coils.

Regardless, there is pride, and the Thai government honors the practice by promoting it as a spectacle that attracts tourists and results in much-needed investment. This causes me to pause as I contemplate this image, but not to overlook or discount her dignity. In her face, I see the steady gaze, the wrinkled and weathered skin, and the stunning richness of her head garment, earrings, tassels, and, of course, brass neck coil. It is a heritage representative of ambiguity found in every person’s life. It is an image of longevity and individuality that is simultaneously uncomfortable and beautiful.