What Happens When Kayan Neck Rings Are Removed?

TL;DR

Removing Kayan neck rings after five years reveals significant scarring but allows for a lighter feeling. Contrary to myths, these rings do not support the head tightly, and women can still move their necks freely. The experience can feel strange as many Kayan women are accustomed to their neck rings, leading to feelings of dizziness and a need to cover their exposed necks.

Transcript

on the remote Tha burmer border a Cayenne tribeswoman is about to discover how her body has suffered for tradition 19-year-old ma Blaine is having her neck rings removed for the first time in 5 years and while they look like Rings The Brass collar is actually a single brass coil wound around the neck traditionally they only come off during childbir... Read More

Key Insights

• 👳 Kayan tribeswomen wear brass neck rings, which are actually a single coil, wound around the neck, and are traditionally removed by hand.
• 👔 Contrary to myths, the neck rings do not provide support for the head and do not restrict neck movement.
• 🍃 The removal of the neck rings can leave scars and result in a lighter feeling, but it does not weaken the neck muscles.

Questions & Answers

Q: How are the Kayan neck rings traditionally removed?

The Kayan neck rings are traditionally removed by hand, with a Village Elder like Manang carefully loosening the brass coil over the course of an hour.

Q: Do the neck rings actually support the head?

Contrary to belief, the neck rings do not support the head tightly; they allow for free movement of the neck, enabling the women to perform daily tasks.

Q: Does the removal of the neck rings weaken the neck muscles?

No, the removal of the neck rings does not weaken the neck muscles. The myth of weakened muscles unable to support the head has no factual basis.

Q: How does Ma Blaine feel after having her neck rings removed?

Ma Blaine experiences a lighter feeling after her neck rings are removed; however, she also feels strange without them and covers her bare neck with a scarf.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Ma Blaine, a Kayan tribeswoman, has her neck rings removed after 5 years, which are actually a single brass coil wound around her neck.

• Contrary to belief, the rings do not support the head tightly, and removal does not cause weakness; women can still move their necks freely.

• Ma Blaine's neck is scarred from the rings, and she experiences a lighter feeling after their removal, although she feels strange without them.