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 06-04-2024

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Who Are the Giraffe Women of Thailand?

The giraffe women stand out for their long necks, beautifully adorned with an imposing spiral necklace. They are part of the Kayan ethnic group, originally from Kayah State in Myanmar. In 1990, part of this ethnic group fled to Thailand due to a conflict with the Burmese military regime.

They established their residence in the mountainous regions of northern Thailand, near the Burmese border, usually around Mae Hong Son. As soon as they arrived in Thailand, the Kayans settled in Baan Huai Pu Kaeng, in the first village. Subsequently, they split up and migrated to two other villages due to demographic considerations. One group moved to the village of Baan Nai Soi, while another group moved to a new location accessible by road in Ban Huay Seau Tao.

Today, it is mainly in Thailand that giraffe women, also known as Padaung women, can be seen. This tradition is passed down from generation to generation, impacting not only the neck, but also the hands and legs of women.

They start wearing these necklaces as children and renew them on the occasion of significant events in their lives. The wearing of these necklaces elongated around the neck is a singular custom, characterized by the making of these pieces by local craftsmen, both beautiful and incredibly heavy, sometimes weighing more than 15 kg around their necks.

Why Do These Women Stretch Their Necks?

Despite the controversies surrounding the wearing of these necklaces, giraffe women in Thailand find deep happiness in this unique cultural feature of their own. According to their religious beliefs, Kayan girls generally consider this tradition to be a form of embellishment.

For them, the length of their necks is directly related to their beauty, the importance of wealth, and the power of their family. Apart from necklaces, they also sport bracelets, but their long necks remain the most attractive feature of their physique.

Another version of this story evokes a supposed connection between the ancient Karen and sacred animals such as the snake and dragon. According to this theory, they adopt this practice to resemble their ancestors. Another reason given is that they develop an elongated neck in order to acquire an unusual physical appearance, which is believed to protect them from human trafficking.

Whatever the reason, wearing spiral necklaces around their necks has been a tradition that has been deeply ingrained in their culture for decades. Even after emigrating to Thailand many years ago, they persist in preserving this tradition.

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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