Neck ring

Neck Rings and Illusion of Elongation

• Neck rings are worn in some African and Asian cultures to create the illusion of an elongated neck.
• The weight of the rings twists the collarbone and upper ribs, causing the appearance of a longer neck.
• The vertebrae do not actually elongate, but the space between them may increase.
• Girls start wearing neck rings before puberty to allow their bodies to adjust.
• These coils can weigh up to 11 pounds (5kg).

Role of Tourism

• Tourism in Myanmar encourages the use of neck rings as they are a popular attraction.
• Neck rings become a cultural display for tourists visiting the region.

Kayan

• Kayan Lahwi women of the Kayan people start wearing neck coils from a young age.
• The length of the coil gradually increases, reaching up to twenty turns.
• The weight of the coils deforms the clavicles, creating the impression of a longer neck.
• Small Kayan girls wear brass collars from age two to five to slowly deform the collarbone and upper ribs.
• The alternative, an accelerated process at around age twelve, is painful.

Ndebele

• The South Ndebele people of Africa wear neck rings as part of their traditional dress.
• Only married women are allowed to wear the rings.
• The rings, called 'dzilla,' are made of copper or brass and stacked in multiples of three.
• Metal rings are also worn on other parts of the body, not just the neck.
• The rings are given to a wife by her husband and are not removed until the husband's death.

Related Concepts

• Foot binding
• Genital cutting (disambiguation)
• Genital modification and mutilation
• Body modification
• Stretching (body piercing)
• Body piercing

Neck ring Data Sources