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9. June 2016.

Long Neck Tribe – bittersweet story about humanity

My bucket list
Long Neck Tribe – bittersweet story about humanity
I’m quite sure that most of you heard for Long Neck tribe, maybe someone of you even visit them as they become one of the main Thailand’s attraction. But I’m not sure how many of you know the real story behind that well played show.

So their sad story started when they moved to Thailand, in the end of 80’s and beginning of 90’s as the refugees, running away from the civil war that was taking a big wave in their homeland, country of Myanmar.

The Thai government gave them asilium when they first came but then they didn’t let them go back. Now they don’t own anything, without proper identity card they can’t even move anywhere from their villages, they can’t cultivate anything on the land because Thai police can put them in jail. So they are pushed to do the only thing that they are allowed to do – being a tourist attraction.

Their exotic tradition inspired the creation of tourism villages in 1985. Some Padaung moved to these artificial hill tribe residencies with work permits to make a living on tourism. But without citizenship, Kayans have limited access to utilities such as electricity, roads, health care and schools for education. Furthermore, Thai authorities refuse to allow Kayans to resettle outside tourist villages, claiming they are economic migrants and not real refugees.
There are many different accounts of why this tribe practice this interesting custom. Their own mythology explains that it is done to prevent tigers from biting them. Others have reported that it is done to make the women unattractive so they are less likely to be captured by slave traders. The most common explanation, though, is the opposite of this — that an extra-long neck is considered a sign of great beauty and wealth and that it will attract a better husband. Whatever the origin of the custom, one of the more common reasons it continues today, particularly in Thailand, is tourism.

Girls first start to wear rings when they are around 5 years old. Over the years the coil is replaced by a longer one and more turns are added. The weight of the brass pushes the rib collar bone down and compresses the rib cage. The neck itself is not lengthened; the appearance of a stretched neck is created by the deformation of the clavicle. The muscles covered by the coil become weakened. The collar feels like an integral part of the body after ten or more years of continuous wear.

An estimated 40,000 tourists per year pay between $8-16 to stop by these hill tribe villages to see the women’s unusual appearance and take pictures. Unfortunately, the entry fee is rarely dispensed to the villagers directly. Instead, neck-ring-wearing-women sell crafts and photo-ops, essentially working in a live-in gift shop. Residents receive an allowance of food and profit from handicraft sales, and women wearing brass rings earn an extra salary. Village owners decrease wages if women get caught by visitors with any of modern things, like cell phones or computers.

While some say the villages give Kayans a paid opportunity to retain their culture, others see this arrangement opportunity for exploiting stateless women and children in exchange for tourist dollars. Although the ethic of this arrangement makes some travelers uncomfortable, each day, many foreigners still visit Long Neck villages. Many foreign-run companies discourage these trips but most Thai-based companies don’t discriminate. Over a half-dozen hill tribes exist in North Thailand and the Chiang Mai province.

Should You Go? Yes, if you do your research. Most women view tourist visits as a way to make a living since their non-resident status limits employment opportunities; however, sensationalizing dress, customs, and unique traditions of these people mean nothing if they are treated inhumanly. Do your research and find a responsible tour company that will promote a socially responsible visit.
The goal of travel shouldn’t be taking pictures of exotic things to brag about back home. Travel is about making connections with people from different cultures. Make sure your money benefits the village directly instead of third party companies. If you’re not sure, insist you give money to the chief of the village or support the women by purchasing their handicrafts. Don’t just stop by for a photo shoot. Try to extend your stay to learn about the people and hear their stories.
Once when you get informations about this people who live modern slavery in new millennium you will be shocked that society still support and allow things like this. I wish them nothing but long and rapid freedom and safe trip to their homeland. Even if this post won’t help them directly, hope that more people will be informed.
Love
“Father of Djordje” by Marko Medić

The father of Djordje

The father of Djordje

Dear friends welcome to my world of adventures. This is a personal blog about my crazy rides across the globe accompanied with my little friend, cactus Đorđe.

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Comments (2)

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    Your post extremely cool. I glad to be here. I enjoyed reading your articles and i would like to bookmark your posts.

    Reply
    farang thailand - 2. July 2017.
    1. The father of Djordje

      thank you so much on nice words! <3

      Reply
      The father of Djordje - 5. July 2017.

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Father of Đorđe

Father of Đorđe

Dear friends welcome to my world of adventures. This is a personal blog about my crazy rides across the globe accompanied with my little friend, cactus Đorđe.

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Imati li vi onaj jedan outift ili komad odjeće ko Imati li vi onaj jedan outift ili komad odjeće koji kad staviti na sebe imate osjećaj da ste dobili neke “cool vibe “ supermoći ? 😎😅 Nisam valjda jedini ? 👀 E tako se ja osjećam s ovim  #calvinkleinjeans outfitom iz @fashionandfriends_hr ! 🤍
Neke priče su “zelenije” od drugih ! 🌱 Izn Neke priče su “zelenije” od drugih ! 🌱 Iznimna mi je čast ( kao što se može vidjeti i na fotki ) biti dio @adidasoriginals kampanje koja nas želi potaknuti na održiviji život sa što manje plastike. ♻️ #adidas je nove Stan Smith tenisice napravio od recikliranog PRIMEGREEN materijala. A da čujem koje su vaše zelene navike ? 😃
•
-Ps. ove tenisice pronađi u svim adidas shopovima diljem Hrvatske i prilikom kupovine na dar dobivaš Stan Smith platnenu torbu ! 🙌🏻
•
#stansmithforever #endplasticwaste #adidasoriginals #sustainable #sustainablefashion #recycle #stansmith
Mentally I’m here ! 🤍What about you? Mentally I’m here ! 🤍What about you?
What a year this week has been! 🙃 But let’s e What a year this week has been! 🙃 But let’s end it with something beautiful !🤍 
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Nikad više razloga za smijeh uz @philips_hr Sonic Nikad više razloga za smijeh uz @philips_hr Sonicare DiamondClean 9000!😁Oralna higijena i zdravlje mi je oduvijek visoko na listi prioriteta no posljednjih mjeseci otkako koristim soničnu tehnologiju primijetio sam veliki pomak u čistoći, bjelini i zdravlju zubiju. Imate moje tople preporuke ! ☺️🙌🏻
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