Cultural Significance
What is essentially happening to people within these cultures, is that the metal pushes down on the collar bone, which in turn compresses the ribcage. This is what can be somewhat risky in the long run, but the Kayan women are happy to take the risk due to its cultural significance for their tribe. As you can see from the picture below, the neck stretching process begins at a young age for many little girls.
Cultural Significance
A Bucket List Wish
This custom has extended beyond traditional peoples, however, with some westerners having recognized it as an admirable physical challenge. Sydney Smith was in her late twenties when she started to believe that her dream of becoming a “giraffe woman” may just become a reality. By that stage, she had spent three years wearing more than ten copper rings in a bid to slowly but surely start the process of extending her neck. Things were slowly starting to fall into place.
A Bucket List Wish
