Meet the Thai Kayan tribe whose women have their necks stretched to incredible lengths using brass coils from the age of four
Kayan tribe believe the coil helps enhance a woman’s beauty and femininity and protect them from tiger attacks
FOR centuries, the women of the Kayan tribe who have been dubbed the "giraffe women" have sported elaborate brass coils around their necks.
The tribe live in the north west province of Mae Hong Son in Thailand and are well known in the area for their distinctive look and age old tradition.
Since the mid-80s many tourists have flocked to the area to see the various Kayan tribe villages scattered among the rugged landscape of the region.
Thai photographer Nuttuwut Jaroenchai, 34, snapped the people of the tribe during a recent visit.
He said: “I decided I wanted to find out about them. My first impression when I saw them was that it was amazing and that they look beautiful.”
The full time photographer spent two days in the region visiting various Kayan villages and documenting the day-to-day lives of the women in the tribe.
At the tender age of five the young girls among the Kayan tribe start wearing the brass coil, as they grow new coils are added.
Women in the tribe are not prohibited from taking off their coil, however many see it as a form of beauty by showing off their felinity and giving the impression of a long slender neck.
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Nuttuwut said: “They take off their coils when they have to change it. They also take it off when needed such as when a doctor needs to examine them.
"I met one Kayan girl who had just come from Chiang Mai by bus and she took off her coils to be more comfortable when she travelled.”
For years, many experts such as anthropologists have theorised why the women wear the coils and it is also a bone of contention among the tribe itself as there are varying accounts as to why.
Some believe it was used centuries ago as a way to prevent the women of the tribe from being enslaved by neighbouring communities as they would be deemed unattractive.
Another theory is that the coils help protect the women of the tribe from tiger attacks as the coils covers the neck.
The most widely accepted theory is that it is used as a way to enhance a woman’s beauty and femininity.
Nuttuwut said: “They wear the coils to make their necks long.
"The longer the neck the more beautiful they are. Some say that the coils indicate a social status.”
Contrary to their nickname as "giraffe women" the tribe members actually have normal sized necks.
The weight of the coils actually causes their clavicle or collar bone to collapse which helps to give the illusion of an extended neck.
Despite the potential health risks of the coils many Kayan women still wear them as a badge of honour and see it as a vital part of their culture.
Nuttuwut said: “Nowadays the women of the tribe have a choice to wear the coils or not but it is still popular among the younger generations.”
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