#Padaung Girl

[mossandfog]

Kayan Women of Myanmar Who Wear Neck Rings

A beautiful series of the Padaung/Kayan people of Myanmar, who have the ancient tradition of wearing neck coils.In these cultures, girls start wearing the neck rings at the age of five, which pushes the collarbone down, creating the appearance of a very long neck.Photographers Ricardo Moreira and Hugo Santarem capture these unique and beautiful faces in lovely natural lighting, showcasing a…

[diamond-nexus]

Mesmerizing Facts About kid’s jewelry

Children’s jewelry fascinates and beacons parents over every culture, and parents just can’t stay put from not buying jewelry for their little ones.

Jewelry is mostly made out of everything people found in their surroundings. Shells, beads, metal, threads, wool, corals, and even bones and teeth of animals.  

Children’s jewelry was also carved out of the same materials for ages.

In this article, we suggest some of the stimulating facts and details that will help you know why people started wearing jewelry and why they made their kids wear jewelry.  

Interesting Facts about children’s jewelry

Ideally, customary traditions, beliefs, and scientific reasons are three separate influences on children’s jewelry designs but more in girls and lesser in boys.

Customary traditions

Let’s see what jewelry is given to children as part of some customary tradition.

The Ndebele tribe of Africa, Karen, and Padaung tribes of Myanmar wear neck rings prominently. Some say the neck rings were meant for protection against tiger attacks, others claim long necks to be symbols of beauty while many feel these are marks to protect women of a tribe from being taken away by other men. The custom starts early and almost every year one brass or copper ring is added to the girl’s neck.

The Māori tribes wear tattoos on their faces, a special kind of tattoo, as jewelry, as part of their customary traditions.

The African cultures also incorporate the culture of children’s jewelry. Especially yellow and orange colored jewelry is gifted to the children as a belief that they will protect them since they are believed to represent the spirit of Orula (Orishi’s spirit).

Beliefs

In Mexico, people gift their newborns with children jewelry like a rosary, necklace, and even guardian angel necklaces.

Latin Americans and Turkish cultures believe in gifting evil eye jewelry to the children for protection against evil omens.

Even Spanish people gift their children with asmal de Ojo that is said to ward off the evil spirits.

Baby piercings are also essential to the beliefs that show pierced ears will keep the bad spirits away from children.

Scientific reasons  Children’s jewelry made of gold and silver is mostly gifted by loved ones. Gold is known to make a strong body and silver influences the development of the mind.

Jewelry is born only at certain pressure points in the body and is considered to be those points whose regular stimulation does good to the body.

The necklace or stone pendant either sits on the throat (above the thyroid gland) or above the heart and helps to stimulate them.

The finger rings and the toe rings stimulate important nerves and nerve endings that work well for kids.

Children’s jewelry in the form of toe rings sits on areas where there are nerves which when properly stimulated can prevent headaches and eye pain or eye disorders.

The virgin ring is a tradition where a woman wears a ring on her left ring finger as long as she does not take the marriage vows. Children’s jewelry is specifically made for this occasion in Mexico known as purity balls. The ring connects to an essential nerve in the ring finger.

Which reason will you choose for your children’s jewelry? Pick anyone and go ahead, gift your little ones with ornate or simple children’s jewelry alongwith your heart.

[cultural-art-heart]

A Padaung Girl by U Sein Linn  

[thingsdavidlikes]

Padaung by Tiagø Ribeiro https://flic.kr/p/oHhywB

[youneedone2]

Kayan Girl, Thailand by Rehahn

Padaung (Yan Pa Doung) is a Shan term for the Kayan Lahwi (the group in which women wear the brass neck rings). The Kayan residents in Mae Hong Son Province in Northern Thailand refer to themselves as Kayan and object to being called Padaung.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s due to conflict with the military regime in Myanmar, many Kayan tribes fled to the Thai border area. Among the refugee camps set up there was a Long Neck section, which became a tourist site, self-sufficient on tourist revenue and not needing financial assistance.

[c-folarin]

Extreme Beauty, The Neck The accentuation of the neck, has been a tradition in some cultures for centuries. Thought to have been fashionable since the 15th century. The Choker, the images above are different examples. Was used primarily, to accentuate the grace of elongated necks. Also giving a desired posture and lifting the chin. Lifting the chin and having the right angles, is still on trend today.

[hungariansoul]

Kayan or Padaung hill tribe girl - Thailand

[failurexbyxdesign]

Even though the exact origins of neck stretching is unknown, historians have been able to date it back to 11th century Southeast Asia. An exact reason for the practice is still unknown. One of the most known beliefs is that villagers wore them to protect themselves against tiger attacks, which are more likely to be directed towards the neck. Another claim is that it served as a way to protect women from being kidnapped by rival tribes by giving them a less appealing look. Unlike this legend, the opposite stands today, as it is considered beautiful in Myanmar and other locations. In the Ndebele tribe of Africa, women wear brass and copper rings, not only around their necks, but around their legs and arms too. The rings are given to the women by their husbands and are a sign of faithfulness. At one point, the rings were only removed once they had died, but today they aren't always worn permanently. At only 5 years old, girls in the Karen/Kayan and Padaung tribes of Myanmar are given their first set of rings. These rings tend to way around 4 and a half pounds and more are added over time. Sometimes the rings are removed altogether so they can be replaced with thicker ones. Many women enjoy having their rings changed since it gives them the chance to see their progress. Although it is commonly called "neck stretching", it does not actually stretch the neck. The weight of the rings actually pushes down on the collarbones. The reason why some tribes start this at such an early age is because the bones are more flexible making the process easier and also resulting in less pain. There's more information I could post, but I'm getting tired of typing lol I'll cover more on this later. #modification #bodymodification #advancedbodymodification #extremebodymodification #culturalbodymodification #tribalbodymodification #art #bodyart https://www.instagram.com/p/BoPuqvmgGCu/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=18kdwkza98vdy

[accuhunt]

If the World Was a Library, These Books Would be the Destinations I’d Pick.

Before I began to travel full time, the books I read based on the “best travel books” recommendations were mostly written by western travellers. You can probably guess some of them: Into the Wild by Jon Krakeur, Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, Wild by Cheryl Strayed. I found them inspiring back then and still admire the authors for their personal quests. But the more I travel, the more I realise that the perspectives in these travel memoirs often come from a place of privilege.

In my quest to discover lesser-visited regions around the world, I long to unravel their many layers through the words and perspectives of a local. To delve deeper into a country’s unique way of life, as shaped by its cultural and historical influences.

As a result, I’ve ended up discovering delightful books by local authors on my travels. And reading them while simultaneously exploring the country they’re set in, adds a dreaminess to my travels, like taking multiple journeys at once – physically, virtually and emotionally.

The “travel books” that fascinate me often transcend the travel writing genre, but I hope you’ll read them anyway:

Reading Lolita in Tehran

By Azar Nafisi | Iran

“It takes courage to die for a cause, but also to live for one.”

Halfway through reading ‘Reading Lolita in Tehran’, I decided that no matter what, I was going to explore Iran someday (I finally did, last month!). Set in Tehran after the 1979 revolution, this is the bold and inspiring memoir of Azar Nafisi, an English Literature professor who dared to start a book club among her best students – all women, reading classics like Lolita and The Great Gatsby, officially censored by the authorities in Iran.

Set amidst the backdrop of Tehran’s Alborz mountains and the Iraq war, the journey of Nafisi’s characters (her students) is interwoven beautifully with the characters they read about. The book left me simultaneously melancholic, hopeful and inspired – and was featured on the New York Times bestseller list for over a hundred weeks.

Read The Guardian’s Review | Order on Amazon India / Amazon Worldwide

Also read: Why You Should Drop Everything and Travel to Iran Now!

From the Land of Green Ghosts

By Pascal Kho Thwe | Myanmar (Burma)

“I also felt like an exile, or a traveller lost between two unfamiliar shores.”

As I was preparing for my epic land journey from Thailand to India through the length and breadth of Myanmar, I stumbled upon the incredible story of Pascal Kho Thwe in his debut book, From the Land of Green Ghosts. Raised as the chieftain’s son in the traditional Padaung hill tribe in Myanmar, the book charts his journey from a fascinating tribal upbringing, through the heartbreaking civil war in Myanmar, to his unlikely quest to study English Literature at Cambridge!

By the time I made it to the end of this awe-inspiring memoir, I could feel my eyes well up and my heart shudder at everything he’s experienced in one lifetime. And perhaps that explains the kinship I felt with the tribal folk I met in the remote Chin state.

Read The Guardian’s Review | Order on Amazon India / Amazon Worldwide

Also read: The Epic Land Journey from Thailand to India via Myanmar

Ali and Nino

By Kurban Said | Azerbaijan, Georgia (the Caucasus)

“Close your eyes, cover your ears with your hands and open your soul.”

Ali and Nino was one of the few books I found under ‘the Caucasus’ section at a bookstore in Georgia, and decided to buy it on impulse. I had no idea then that its author continues to be shrouded in mystery, for it was first published in the 1930s under the pen name Kurban Said, and once attributed to an Austrian baroness! Evidence has come to light since, that the book may have been written by Lev Nussimbaum who spent his childhood in Baku.

Set in the early 1900s, the book is inspired by the heartwarming love story of Ali, a Muslim Azerbaijani boy and Nino, a Christian Georgian girl – and the many obstacles that stand between them: Muslim and Christian, Oriental and European, and the Soviet invasion of Azerbaijan. Set across Dagestan, Azerbaijan and Georgia, the book offers an intimate glimpse into life in the Caucasus region, and left me with the overwhelming feeling that history keeps repeating itself.

Read Washington Independent’s Review | Order on Amazon India / Amazon Worldwide

Also read: If You’re Looking for the “Shire”, Come to Georgia

Remembering Che: My Life With Che Guevara

By Aleida March | Cuba

“Farewell, my only one, do not tremble before the hungry wolves nor in the cold steppes of absence; I take you with me in my heart and we will continue together until the road vanishes…”

On my first day in Havana, I walked into a small bookstore to seek respite from the sweltering heat of the city, and walked out with a copy of My Life with Che – written by Aleida March, Che Guevara’s wife, and translated from Spanish by Pilar Aguilera.

I had read Motorcycle Diaries by Che Guevara a long time ago, for it typically makes it to most “inspiring travel books” recommendations. I loved it at the time, but as a more mature traveller aching to better understand how Che’s travels shaped both him and his adopted country, “Remembering Che” became my companion on my travels across Cuba. March’s words are raw and simple, yet sometimes too honest to digest. As I travelled across Cuba, I saw the Cuban revolution through her eyes and came to appreciate Che’s altruistic yet flawed personality. At the same time, I felt like I was journeying through time to see how Cuba has changed over the years.

I remember sitting on the Malecon (sea face) in Havana, on my last evening in the country, reading the last few pages of the book, with the salty wind blowing through my hair. A strange nostalgia washed over me, as I wondered if Che and Aleida had ever sat there, in the same spot, watching the horizon, feeling what I was feeling. Only a handful of books are capable of inducing that.

Read an excerpt on Sydney Morning Herald | Order on Amazon India / Amazon Worldwide

Also read: Unusual Solo Travel Destinations to Feed Your Adventurous Spirit

The King’s Harvest

By Chetan Raj Sreshtha | Sikkim (Northeast India)

“In the place of timber houses with leaky roofs were gigantic boxes of cement with harsh windows. The road was wider and topped with the same tasteless black cake…”

When the “bookman” of Sikkim (the owner of the indie Rachna bookstore in Gangtok) highly recommends a book by a Sikkimese author, you’d better buy it. That’s how The King’s Harvest landed in my arms. Of the two novellas the book is split into, the first, An Open and Shut Case is the story of a woman who kills her husband and turns herself in. It weaves through a layered world of love, music and shared taxis – to reveal that a case like this isn’t exactly open and shut.

But it’s the second of the two novellas, The King’s Harvest, that lives within me even after all these years. The story takes you to a remote land in Sikkim where one man lives in solitude, toils on the land and joyfully gives a share of his harvest to his beloved king every year. When the harvest collector stops showing up, the man decides, after 32 long years of isolation, to personally visit the king, oblivious to how the kingdom has changed. Sprinkled with magical realism, I found this book just as enchanting as my first glimpse of Mount Kanchenjunga!

Read The Hindu’s Review | Order on Amazon India – or better still, buy it at Rachna Books in Gangtok.

Also read: Sikkim: The Lost Kingdom

Norwegian Wood | A Wild Sheep Chase

By Haruki Murakami | Japan

“Time really is one big continuous cloth, no? We habitually cut out pieces of time to fit us, so we tend to fool ourselves into thinking that time is our size, but it really goes on and on.”

Ever since I read Norwegian Wood on a train ride along Canada’s Rocky Mountains, I’ve been hooked onto Murakami, his imaginative words, his mysterious characters, his bizarre plots and his surreal depiction of life in Japan. And when I finally travelled to Japan last year, I ended up meeting a local who indeed belonged in a Murakami novel!

Norwegian Wood, set mostly in Tokyo, explores love, relationships, sex and life through the lens of a young Japanese college student and the women he meets along the way. I remember, quite vividly, the riot of emotions that stormed through me as I became engrossed in his characters; emotions I never imagined a book could be capable of making me feel.

Since then, I’ve read many works by Murakami, and one of his earliest books, A Wild Sheep Chase, is one I keep thinking about. The bizarre plot is set in a stunning, remote village in Hokkaido, and is fascinating, mysterious and absurd, with all the charms of magical realism yet realistic characters. After reading it, I can’t wait to make it to Hokkaido.

Read The New York Time’s Review | Order on Amazon India | Amazon Worldwide

Also read: In Search of Murakami’s Japan

Neither Night Nor Day

Short stories, edited by Rakhshanda Jalil | Pakistan

My Indian passport makes it very difficult to explore Pakistan. So to satiate my longing to explore the other side of the Indian subcontinent, I delved into Neither Night Nor Day, an anthology of short stories written by 13 Pakistani women. Spanning themes like familial expectations, immigrant life in London, partition and female infanticide, these stories explore the everyday lives of ordinary Pakistanis – and as an Indian, you quickly realise that despite the border between us, the battles and triumphs are the same. The stories are heartfelt, vivid and often soul-stirring.

Read DNA’s Review | Order on Amazon India / Amazon Worldwide

Also read: Unexpected Ways Long Term Travel Has Changed Me

The Forty Rules of Love

By Elif Shafak | Turkey, Central Asia and Iran

“No matter what your destination, just be sure to make every journey, a journey within. If you travel within, you’ll travel the whole wide world and beyond.”

I first read about and fell in love with Shams-e Tabrizi – the mystic Sufi and whirling dervish who became the muse of the beloved Persian poet Rumi – while reading The Forty Rules of Love. This brilliantly crafted work takes you simultaneously into the intriguing (non-fiction) world of Shams and Rumi, and a contemporary (fiction) world where a woman embarks on a journey to meet the mysterious author of a fascinating manuscript. The latter story somehow elevates the philosophy, poetry and mysticism of the relationship between Shams and Rumi.

The book impacted me deeply enough to land up in Tabriz, the home of Shams, all these years later on my recent trip to Iran!

Read The Independent’s Review | Order on Amazon India / Amazon Worldwide

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Your turn, which unusual “travel books” have you stumbled upon on your travels?

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If the World Was a Library, These Books Would be the Destinations I’d Pick. published first on https://airriflelab.tumblr.com

[businessweekme]

The Five Places That Stole My Heart in 2017

My travel tally for 2017 went something like this: No less than 16 trips, 12 countries, 24 destinations, 57 hotels, and roughly 90,000 miles.

Many people can beat those numbers (maybe you’re one of them), but as someone who has the distinct professional pleasure of scoping out the next great vacation spots before everyone else gets there, I’m lucky to say that even my business trips were to places that left indelible impressions.

Currently closing my eyes and reliving this magic moment.

A post shared by Nikki Ekstein (@nikkiekstein) on May 31, 2017 at 1:13pm PDT

There was the Balinese-style resort with the elephant rescue center in northern Thailand—a place I’d long dreamed of visiting and writing about. There was a lightning-speed trip to Mumbai—a place I didn’t imagine I’d fall in love with but did—and hard. There was even an exhausting week spent racing around Paris with the flu, made infinitely better by the incredible staff at Rosewood’s newly-restored Hôtel de Crillon, who graciously stocked my room with get-better notes and silver tea sets piled with honey and lemon.

Every place I visited, from Puerto Rico to Zambia, was remarkable in some way, shape, or form. These are the five I still can’t shake.

  5. St. Barths

Out of office.

A post shared by Nikki Ekstein (@nikkiekstein) on Apr 26, 2017 at 3:59pm PDT

Sometimes you just need a few days to veg on the beach and recharge. But when you’re married to someone who hates laying out in the sun, planning that type of lazy, Vitamin D-centric trip can be a near impossibility. Enter St. Barths, which satisfies on barefoot beach vibes without ever feeling boring. Here, it’s more popular to rent an open-air Moke jeep and explore the island’s 14 separate beaches—our favorite was the remote, mangrove-flanked Gouveneur—than to stay holed-up in your resort. Of course, the resorts are cossetting places to return to, whether you’re watching windsurfers swoosh through the breeze from the year-old Le Barthelemy, whose rooms have Hermès bath amenities, or having a toes-in-the-sand lunch at Eden Roc.

How to do it yourself: Following the storms of 2017, St. Barths is still recovering. Some 90 percent of its hotel rooms are still offline, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go. Local villa specialist Wimco is back in action, as is the charter airline Tradewinds Airways Ltd., which gets you there sans yacht.

  4. Napa Valley

Long travel day, but so so so worth it. #roomwithaview

A post shared by Nikki Ekstein (@nikkiekstein) on Nov 10, 2017 at 3:13pm PST

Only two weeks before I was scheduled to leave for a girls’ getaway to California wine country, fires started blazing around the Silverado Trail. From her home in Oakland, my best friend could see (and smell) plumes of smoke burning a few dozen miles away. Yet, by the time we pulled into St. Helena’s new Luxury Collection hotel, Las Alcobas, the only discernible sign of what had happened were the many handmade billboards lining Highway 29, all expressing thanks to local firefighters who had kept the damage (relatively) in check.

The good vibes were impossible to ignore: Menus featured special dishes or by-the-glass wine selections benefiting the handful of wineries that had suffered damage; locals beamed to welcome visitors; even my therapist at Meadowood’s extraordinary spa was ecstatic to see her community springing back to its feet. The quick comeback was remarkable, and with tourism an important part of the local economy, feeling we were helping the cause made every indulgence worth it.

How to do it yourself: Watch the sun go down from the patio at Ashes & Diamonds, an edgy, new winery that’s taking a cue from 1950s viticulture techniques to produce funky, non-traditional bottles. Everything here breaks Napa’s tight mold, from the mid-century-designed tasting room to the late opening hours it keeps.

  3. St. Moritz

We caught an air show while taking a walk on the frozen lake. #lovethisplace

A post shared by Nikki Ekstein (@nikkiekstein) on Feb 20, 2017 at 1:31pm PST

Because I learned to ski on the East Coast and skied only there for many years, my husband would always rave to my deaf ears about skiing out West. Eventually we made it out for our first trip to Vail, and I was ruined. The granular, iced-down snow pack of our local New York mountains would never be as good again.

Fast-forward a few seasons to 2017: our first ski trip to the Alps. Everything—from the fabulously fur-coat-filled Badrutt’s Palace to the fondue huts on the mountain—ratcheted the fantasy of skiing to a whole new level. The small moments stuck most: the DJ-filled beach cabanas that provided a hilarious stopping point in the middle of a long, legendary run; couples holding hands as they walked across a beautiful frozen lake; and an impromptu performance by the Patrouille Suisse pilots, who drew hearts in the sky on our last day in town. Colorado, I love you, but you’ve officially been outdone.

How to do it yourself: The newly-remodeled Suvretta House was my favorite hotel in aesthetics and service; the only thing missing was regular shuttle service to and from the lifts. The Carlton, Kulm, and Badrutt’s Palace all have that critical perk, among more traditionally styled rooms.

  2. Myanmar

This 58 year old woman collects and carries buckets of tiny plums each morning to sell at market. They're heavy as hell (she let us try to carry her load) and sell for a total of $2, if she's lucky.

A post shared by Nikki Ekstein (@nikkiekstein) on Jan 22, 2017 at 4:16pm PST

On Jan. 21, it felt as if the entire world was marching in solidarity with the 500,000 activists who gathered with pink hats for the Women’s March in Washington. Not where I was. That day, my sister and I climbed Shwesandaw Pagoda in Bagan, a tiny town in Myanmar that’s dotted with thousands of bulbous temple stupas. At its base, we struck up a conversation with mother and daughter members of the Padaung tribe, known for the stacks of heavy golden rings that elongate their necks, as they worked on ancient-looking looms.

That encounter, and others like it, were facilitated through our excellent Asia Transpacific Journeys guides who had earned the trust of local communities over many visits and, crucially, spoke their various languages. One candid 16-year-old girl said she couldn’t wait to add more golden rings to the short stack on her neck, adding that her younger sister, who attended a mixed-heritage school, was teased for having them and felt differently. Several women at Inle Lake’s floating market marveled at the color of our skin and laughed with us as we tried some of their commonplace ingredients (such as ants!) for the first time. We asked about the Rohingya, talked about the country’s war times, and had some of the most open dialogue I’ve ever experienced far from home. Seeing this mysterious country through the eyes of its strong women—who are fiercely clinging to tradition in the face of rapid modernization—was haunting and inspiring in ways I’ll never forget.

How to do it yourself: While quality hotels are still in short supply in developing Myanmar, the Strand in Yangon is world-class by any standard. One day is all you need in the traffic-filled capital (enough to see the gleaming Shwedagon Pagoda). From there, allocate two full days apiece in Bagan and Inle Lake for a condensed tour of the country’s greatest hits.

  1. Zimbabwe and Botswana

Safari: everything you imagined it could be, times a million. #wildernesssafaris

A post shared by Nikki Ekstein (@nikkiekstein) on Jul 20, 2017 at 10:12am PDT

Don’t call this choice a cop-out: It was hard enough narrowing down my favorite trips of the year without simply putting Africa at the bottom. It’s been nearly six months since my first safari—a trip that was five years in the making—and I still can’t choose between these two spellbinding countries. Truth is, Zimbabwe and Botswana are a perfect pair, and having experienced them side by side, they put one another’s best qualities in sharp relief.

Zimbabwe, with its reputation for the world’s greatest safari guides, finally has the lodges to match. That’s no small thing: In a country with 90 percent unemployment and plenty of lingering political uncertainty, a burgeoning tourism industry has brought palpable optimism to even the remotest communities. Safaris in Hwange National Park now offer an incredible density of wildlife sightings—as good as in neighboring Botswana—with the added benefit of authentic cultural exchanges, both in nearby villages and right on the property.

Hospitality in the bush, or some sort of dream.

A post shared by Nikki Ekstein (@nikkiekstein) on Jul 24, 2017 at 6:23am PDT

If Zimbabwe feels like a diamond that’s still slightly in-the-rough, Botswana’s Okavango Delta sparkles by comparison. Here, you see the benefits a booming luxury tourism economy can create in the long run. Guides are relatively well-traveled, hold high-paying jobs, and have risen through one of the best public school systems in all of Africa. Hospitality here has been perfected to a tee—you’re not likely to find more thoughtful service anywhere on Earth. Couple it with incredible sightings of lions and leopards; canoe rides through elephant territories; and the most dramatic Technicolor sunsets the eye can see, and it’s no wonder this has become a bucket-list topper for royals and regular folks alike.

Combined, the two countries tell a powerful story about the impact and importance of tourism: When done responsibly, it can protect the earth’s most beautiful places and change lives for the better. This combination has certainly changed mine.

How to do it yourself:  I booked with Wilderness Safaris, a longtime leader for conservation and community development in Africa. There are many great operators on this wide continent, but I can’t recommend this one highly enough.

The post The Five Places That Stole My Heart in 2017 appeared first on Bloomberg Businessweek Middle East.

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[greggory--lee]

History of Ear Gauging in Tribal Civilizations

A study of the history of ear gauging indicates the practice to be as old as recorded human history. For males, this form of ear piercing has been a symbol of status, while for women, in addition to being used as means of bodily decoration, it has also been employed to signify the attainment of womanhood.

Ear gauging, which is also referred to as ear stretching, is the stretching of ear lobe piercings to larger diameters than that of the original piercing. It is a form of body enhancement or beautification that many young western people adopt to look ‘different’ from the usual crowd. However, this is not a modern form of body piercing, since it has been around for as long as archaeological records exist.

In many cases, ear gauging has been used historically to indicate the standing of members of a specific tribe, and in many respects this is still the situation today. Stretched piercings have been, and still are, a reflection on the individual’s sexual capability and also their superiority over other males in the tribe. The larger the stretching, the more important the individual.

Otzi the Iceman is a prime example of mummies known to have stretched ears. This is the earliest known example of ear gauging, Otzi having 7-11 mm ear piercings during 3300 BC. It has been suggested that the stretching of the ears noted in depictions of Siddhartha Gautama, better known as Buddha, may have been caused by the weight of the gold jewelry he wore, but this is mere supposition.

It is supported, however, by the fact that the Masai tribe of Kenya and the Lahu and Karen-Paduang people of Thailand use this ‘gravity’ technique to stretch their piercings. Let us have a look at the ear gauging practices used today by various cultures.

A. Mursi Tribal Women

The Mursi is an Ethiopian tribe where the women are obliged to wear plates in their gauged ears and on their bottom lip. About a year prior to her marriage, or at about 15 years of age, a Mursi girl’s lip will be pierced by her mother and a wooden peg pushed through the incision.

Once healed, the peg is changed for a larger diameter one. Eventually, the peg is replaced by a plate of clay or wood, and this plate is successively changed for larger diameter ones until the required diameter is attained – from around 8 – 22 cm in diameter (3 – 9 inches). Once these plates have been secured, she receives a higher degree of respect than those without them, and is known as a ‘Bhansanai’.

These lip and ear plates need not be worn permanently, but are an expected adornment during special occasions such as during weddings and other celebrations, and when they serve food to men. Today, young women can generally make their own decision as to whether or not they follow this tradition.

B. The Masai People of Kenya

The practice of ear gauging has been common among Masai men and women for thousands of years. In recent years, however, most young men have not been following this custom, although you will still find many Masai women wearing ear decorations made from stones, cross-cut elephant tusks, wood and animal bones.

The original piercing is carried out using a thorn, sharpened twig or a sharp knife point. Once healed, ear gauging is then carried out by wearing increasingly heavy jewellery that pulls the lobe down and stretches the piercing. This is the traditional way of gauging ears in the more primitive cultures, although many Masai today will use proper ear gauging techniques, such as their own versions of insertion tapers or taper spikes. Beads are a common form of ornamentation, although plugs made from bone, tusks and wood are also used.

C. The African Fulani Tribe

Fulani women from Nigeria and Central Africa tend to use smaller diameter ear gauges, and decorate them using large gold domes or hoops carrying earrings. A Fulani child will have her ears pierced at around 3 years old, although they may not be stretched until she is older. The gauges used by Fulani women are relatively small compared to the Masai and Mursi, although the jewellery can be larger.

D. Asian Hill Tribes

Of the various hill tribes, the only two known to practice ear gauging are the Lahu from Thailand, and the Karen-Padaung (Longnecks) from Myanmar (Burma) and also the Phrae province in Thailand. That latter tribe are best known for their neck rings, offering the appearance of long necks, but both cultures believe the ear to be sacred and the more jewellery they can wear on the better. By gauging their ears, they are able to wear the maximum amount of jewellery they believe possible.

E. Mexican and Central American Civilizations

In Mayan and Aztec society, ear gauging was regarded as desirable for males. There are many Mayan representations of men with flares and ear plugs (ear spools) in gauged ears, and the material used was indicative of the social standing of the wearer. Jade ear plugs were worn by the higher classes, while the rest would use bone, stone, wood and other materials. In central Mexico, the craftsmanship of the Aztecs is evident in the ear gauging plugs and ornaments of gold and silver, though the lower classes would adorn their stretches earlobes with shells, copper and wood among many other imaginative materials.

Ear gauging has been carried out worldwide, and among other notable areas involved in this practice are Japan, where the Ainu used ear jewellery made from shells, bone and a ball and ring known as Ninkari. There are many other cultures worldwide where ear gauging was a part of their life, and even today many people regard ear stretching as a fashion statement and a way of expressing their own personality and individuality.

Source by Mark Z Wilson

Source: http://bitcoinswiz.com/history-of-ear-gauging-in-tribal-civilizations/

[oloriarewauni-verse]

Myanmar ~ Shan State | Padaung girls reading Amataur Photographer. ca. 1930