Meeting the Giraffe Women in Thailand

As you drive north from Chiang Mai, Thailand's second-largest city, you'll be amazed not only by the region's iconic mountainous landscapes but also by the discovery of authentic tribal villages where extraordinarily long-necked women, affectionately nicknamed the "giraffe women," live.

Why are these villages famous in Thai tourism? And what is the fascinating story behind Thailand's giraffe women? Join us as we explore the secrets of their history, encompassing culture and mystery.

Written by Nhu PHAM (local expert)Updated on 31-12-2024

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Who Are the Giraffe Women of Thailand?

They have long, beautiful necks, which are decked up with tall spiral tubed necklaces. They are known as Giraffe women. Kayan are the people from whom they come. The Kayan are an ethnic group coming from Kayah State, Myanmar. In 1990, a part of this ethnic group fled to Thailand due to the conflict with the Burmese military regime.

They took refuge in the snowy fringe of mountains in northern Thailand close to the border of Burma, often around Mae Hong Son. On their arrival in Thailand, the Kayan settled in Baan Huai Pu Kaeng, in the first village.

Later, they moved on and settled in two other villages for demographic considerations. One group moved to the village of Baan Nai Soi, while another group settled in a new road-accessible location in Baan Huay Seau Tao.

Today, the Giraffe women can mainly be spotted in Thailand, also called the Padaung women. This custom passes from generation to generation, and it causes deformation not only of the neck but also of the hands and legs of these women.

They start using these around the neck from the tender ages of kids, and ever after significant events in their lives, they would put renewal on their long necks. It's a beautiful custom and unique among all other practices because these pieces are wholly made by local artisans, and they're very magnificent and extremely heavy—often weighing more than 15 kg around the neck.

>>> Read More: Mae Hong Son

Why Do These Women Stretch Their Necks?

Even amid all the debates regarding these necklaces, the giraffe women of Thailand never stop rejoicing in this characteristic cultural expression. Young Kayan women see this tradition as a form of beautification, depending on the religion they profess.

They believe the longer the neck, the more beautiful she is, the wealthier the family, and the stronger the power. So, they wear bracelets in addition to necklaces, but the long neck remains their pride.

One version of the story relates to the Karen, who possibly originated from sacred animals such as snakes and dragons. Their practice of wearing spiral necklaces was therefore an imitation of their ancestors.

The elongation of their necks is believed to provide a particular aspect of their physical appearance, which protects them from human trafficking, according to another explanation.

Indeed, the presence of these spirals around the neck has long been rooted in their culture. It continues to be so even after they migrated to Thailand several decades ago.

Is It Possible for Giraffe Women to Remove Their Collars?

From the age of 5, girls start wearing copper necklaces around their necks. The number of these collars increases every 4 years, and they stay with the girls for the rest of their lives. The necklaces are stacked on top of each other, gradually contributing to the lengthening of girls' necks. Also, for more affluent families, 10-year-old girls also wear bracelets around their ankles.

Have you ever thought about the possibility of removing these necklaces? The answer is yes, but this only happens three times in the lifetime of a long-necked tribe woman. The first opportunity arises when they are married, the second when they become mothers, and the third when they die.

Apart from these special occasions, women continue to wear these necklaces all the time. When it is necessary to clean their necks and the bracelets that come with them, the women of the village gather to immerse them in water containing herbs.

Where Can You Meet Giraffe Women Ethically and Responsibly?

Over time, due to their uniqueness and impressive appearance, the long-necked women's villages have increasingly opened their doors to tourists in areas like Chiang Rai, Pai, and Mae Hong Son, located in northern Thailand. This provides visitors with a valuable opportunity to explore the life, culture, and traditions of the Kayan tribe. You may meet young girls and women wearing metal bracelets wrapped around their necks, arms, knees, and ankles.

During your visit to this village, you will also have the opportunity to discover their unique handicrafts. You will be able to acquire silk of exceptional finesse woven by these long-necked women, bags adorned with colorful brocade patterns, as well as unique bracelets. In addition, you will be able to take photos with the women of these tribes, and we encourage you to support the community by purchasing these Thai souvenirs.

If you choose to visit these villages, we recommend that you follow these recommendations to make your experience even more rewarding:

• Do your research beforehand and choose a responsible travel company that promotes a socially responsible visit. If possible, opt for local guides who can take you to their own villages.
• Make sure your money directly benefits the village rather than third-party companies. If you're not sure, insist on giving money to the village chief or support the women by buying their handicrafts.
• Don't limit yourself to a simple photo shoot. Try extending your stay to learn more about the locals and hear their stories. Traveling means building relationships and bonding with people from different cultures. Seek to create a mutually enriching relationship with the locals by looking for commonalities with the people you meet, rather than treating them as attractions to be exploited.

Our last words,

Exploring this place, one can truly appreciate the cultural enrichment that comes from discovering the life and crafts of the long-necked people. However, it is inevitable that some people may feel some concern when seeing these women become tourist attractions, which has led to debates about the ethics of this practice, as well as its impact on women's health.

It is important to note that the perception of this situation can vary from person to person. What is your opinion on this? Feel free to share your point of view by leaving a comment!

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