Girl of the Kayan village

The Karen – a name that has been imposed on the Padaung ethnic group - are known for their long necklaces made of brass that can weigh up to 25kg. This tradition has encouraged the nickname “giraffe-women”. Sources disagree on the origins of the necklace, but most scholars think that women were originally wearing them to protect themselves from tiger bites. Girls tend to wear their first necklace from the age of 5.