THE PRACTICE OF NECK ELONGATION

Human beings have always practiced some sort of body modification or another. Piecing, tattoos, foot binding, skull flattening are practices found around the world. One of the oldest known forms of body modification is using neck rings to elongate the neck. Neck rings or coils, are any form of stiff jewelry worn as an ornament around the neck of an individual, as opposed to a loose necklace. Many cultures and periods have made neck rings, with both males and females wearing them at various times. Neck rings have been used by cultures in Africa, India and Asia for thousands of years. The different cultures in which neck rings are found have varing symbols attached to them. For some, the rings indicate wealth and status. For others, they are a symbol of the faithfulness of a wife to her husband. To some, neck rings were worn to protect the villagers from Tiger attacks, since Tigers often clawed at the neck of their victims. Another legend claims that the neck rings were used to make the women of the village less attractive so the men of neighboring tribes would be less likely to kidnap them. Some theorize that the coils make the women look more like dragons , which are important figures in Kayan folklore. If the goal was to make women look ugly, then the neck rings had the opposite effect. The neck rings gave the women an elegant, beautiful appearance. They are also viewed as a fashion accessory and the gracefully long neck is seen as beautiful and desirable. Even today, they are associated with beauty. Children also wore neck rings from as early as 5 to 6 years of age. As they grow older, the neck rings would be replaced with a larger diameter so that they don't choke the wearers. The younger the child, the more pliable the skeletal system, so it becomes easier to remove the collar bone. The neck rings can weigh as much as 20lbs. Wearing the neck coils means some adjustments needs to be made. For example, the wearers cannot lean their heads back, so they need to drink from straws. The metal can cause chafing, so the wearers use natural ointments r piece of cloth to protect their skin. The elongation also impacts their vocal cords. After prolonged neck rings use, women are said to have deeper, hollow sounding voices. Although not as widespread as it once was, the practice of elongating the neck with neck rings is still used today. Modern women are more likely to remove their neck rings on a regular basis, either for comfort or to conform to cultural standards of appearance. The use of neck rings, however, is still viewed as an attractive trend that makes a woman appear more graceful. Having an elongated neck has been a standard of beauty for centuries, and it's a goal some of today's women will strive for. Though strange to some, it's one of the oldest types of body modification in the world, and one many women will still follow in a few different parts of the world. Of the most notable types of the neck rings is the torc, an often heavy and valuable ornament normally open at the throat. These were worn by various early cultures but are especially associated with the ancient Celts of the European Iron Age, where they were evidently a key indicators of wealth and status, mostly worn by men. The other type is one or more spiral metal coils of many turns, often worn by married women. Contrary to popular belief, the use of neck rings does not really make the wearer's neck longer, but it does give the illusion of length, by pushing the collar bone and ribs down , making the neck look longer. The use of the neck rings however, does cause the wearer's neck muscles to weaken. Today, women are given a choice of whether or not to wear the rings. Many still do in order to preserve their cultural identity.

Other insights from Diweri Mangiri

Referral Earning

Points-to-Coupons