The Padaung Women of Myanmar

The Padaung Women of Myanmar

The Padaung are a subgroup of the Karen minority group in Myanmar. They are known for the wearing of brass neck coils. Girls start to wear the coils around the age of 5; It is said that the women do so in order to enhance their beauty.

I took this photo when I visited Myanmar in 2004. This was my first trip out of the country. This is what started it all.