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