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& Other Beliefs |
A. It is a myth.
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Some anthropologists believe that the
Padaungs relate this tradition to a myth. According to Richard K.Diran as
mentioned earlier that, it is believed that the Padaungs are “…created after
a dragon was impregnated by the wind and that the lengthening of the women’s
necks is supposed to imitate their dragon mother’s long neck.”
B. It is beautiful.
To the Padaungs it is clear that they think the rings are beautiful. It in a way serves as their jewelleries. After tourism has been introduced to this group of people, the Padaung women present their ‘beauty’ to the curious foreigners.
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A Padaung woman, sitting in her training shed waiting for tourists to ‘visit’ her.
C. To protect themselves.
There are also explanations stating that the Padaungs wanted to protect themselves from tiger attacks. Therefore having to wear rings around their necks, arms and legs, would prevent them from being bitten at these regarded vital areas.
D. For prevention…
The Padaung men wanted to prevent invading tribes from kidnapping their women. At the same time, the rings were designed to disfigure the Padaung women’s body so that they would not be taken to the Burmese court as concubines or prostitutes.
