Beauty is really in the eye of the beholder. Recently I watched a documentary about long neck tribal people living in China, there are others in Thailand as well. Girls from a young age have these copper loops wrap around their neck, increasing in numbers of loops as their necks lengthen with time. Why? It is said to protect women's necks from wild animals and others say it is to honor their tribal god.I respect different cultures and their traditions but why do I see these imposed on women majority of the time. In old China, women had their feet wrapped into these lotus bud looking shape in the name of beauty. Now, I see these cooper loops put around a gal's neck. Underneath, skin looks black and blue which is quite hard for me to watch. I hope it will heal with time. But, these gals don't have a problem as this is a tradition so I won't say anymore. I am sure they look at us wearing sky high heels and thinks us crazy. Anyhoo, this is just a random thought about beauty and tradition. Have a great weekend friends!
image: wetpaint.com --- I just have to show a picture. This is a gal from Thailand.
Speaking of beauty.....
Honestly, I think this floral Prada tote will look better as a throw pillow or something like it. In the last couple of seasons, I was so in adoration with Prada bags, but from what I have seen this season so far, my wallet is pretty safe. Anyhoo, I just can't see myself spending $2250 on this tote. The only thing I like about the bag is the pink color. It is also available in yellow print. What do you think of this tote?image: Neiman Marcus
I say, these are plain torture. The neck bondage, the feet wrap... I don't see any justifications for subjecting these young girls to those experiences.
ReplyDeleteYes I've heard of this . It's just scary . I can't imagine if I were her . Oh my . I heard if they release the loops they will die because they have no neck bone anymore . :(
ReplyDeleteIt does seem as though some person said, Hmm, I wonder what that would look like or what would happen if we did this to someone? And then it's imposed on part of the tribe. And then it lasts for centuries because EVERYONE did it, so why stop now?
ReplyDeleteIt happens to women because women let it happen...if they all at once said they wont do this any more then the men who impose it wouldnt have much of a chance.
ReplyDeleteit is true, everyone has their own perception of beauty. but if it makes them personally happy, then that's great for them. you're right, they probably look us funny for wearing 4inch heels and such haha.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very old tradition, it was in a world cultures book I had when I was younger (although it was african women). They are also used as a form of male control on women. If a women is unfaithful to her husband or has done something they see as wrong, the rings can be removed and the women often dies as the neck is not strong enough to support their head. It is a terrible tradition.
ReplyDeleteI've seen images of this tribe before, really beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting to explore cultural differences and definitions of beauty. I think it's incredible that some of these traditons have lasted so long!
ReplyDeleteSavvy, I'm with you on the tribal neck rings. Just because a tradition is long lasting, doesn't mean that it should continue.
ReplyDeleteOh...and what's up with the Prada prints. I saw them yesterday and thought who's going to buy those bags?
That tote is a little on the crazy side for me... at least for that price. Regarding lotus feet and neck rings, I think that has to be one of the worst forms of torture disguised as tradition that I have ever heard of. Medical reports on what happens when you actually take these rings off after years and years of wearing them, are not pretty.
ReplyDeleteThose girls with golden necks have always fascinated me. They think it's beautiful so whatever works for them, plus from what I know from some documentaries, the practice is not hurtful... It can only do your real damage if you take it off after long time wearing because your neck would just break... But they never take it off, so I guess it's all fine.
ReplyDeleteHmm, the bag is a bit too Barbie-esque for me. My Barbies, which I still have stored somewhere at home, would love to have it, I'm sure lol
You know, I never thought about it this way: how other cultures look at our high heels and think we are ... ... different. Good point!
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm sure the Prada purse is made well, but the floral prints is something my Grandma would wear. Then again, she's the one with the money to pay for it :O)
I heard that when they take out the rings, they will die. Their neck bones basically have large gaps between them that without support, it's fatal.
ReplyDeleteYou could be right... People may think long necks are odd but these tribal women may think we're weird on high heels, too. :)
Happy weekend!
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Very, very nice post dear !
ReplyDeleteHi sweetie, great intelligent post and adore the arm candy!Just to let you know you have been tagged over @ My Passport to Style, I do hope you will join the fun! Sharon xoxo
ReplyDeleteI find that tote ugly. :(
ReplyDeletewow, this Prada bag is really unexpected... I think it looks quite ok, but for that amount of money... hmm
ReplyDelete*Nathalie
LOL that Prada bag belongs in Better Homes & Gardens. It's fugly.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if those girls' necks snap if they take off the copper rings?
For a minute I thought that Prada bag was Lilly Pulitzer - it's cute; but definitely not worth the money! :)
ReplyDeleteHmm, interesting post. i think lot of 'traditional' customs puts women at a disadvantage. i'm not saying it's fair, but it's definitely their way of life and that's what they're used to, right.
ReplyDeletei'm currently in LOVE with prada, but i think that bag is too mature for me lol
Culture is an interesting thing and we can never fathom what exact a human brain is thinking?!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAh...how come that prada tote looks like Emili Pucci..... hum... gotta agree w/ you, it looks way better on a throw pillow or even curtains. hah....
Ditto... culture can be fascinating for one, but an eye-bugging for the other.. still it is a appreciated.. as for Prada.. so glad they are going floral.. etc.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm not too keen on those long neck brace things...they look painful. But hey, each to their own culture, right? :P
ReplyDeleteI kind of like that Prada bag. The colors are pretty. I'm not liking the price though!
I love the bag and the colours but so expensive! I agree with everything you said in this post. I don't see any justification for this sort of thing imposed on girls.
ReplyDeleteAs crazy as I am... and pink lady too, forever, I'd love that tote!
ReplyDeleteI'd rather have a giant gold neck ring than that bag. ok no but you get it.
ReplyDeleteI really dont like that print too much!
ReplyDeletep.s you got an award on my blog today!
http://missneira.blogspot.com/2010/01/yay-for-awards.html
Wow!Very impressive!
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful print but I can't see spending that much money on something that won't be used very often.
ReplyDeletestunning bag.
ReplyDeleteSome traditions are not for preserving.
ReplyDeleteNor are those Prada bags for buying.
Standards of beauty in other cultures fascinates me. I saw a documentary recently about how the larger a woman was (read: fatter), the more desirable she was. Of course, the women are very unhealthy.
ReplyDeleteYes there are tons of things we westerners do for beauty that other people with freak out about: tanning, plastic surgery, hair dye, high heels, leather leggings hahaha It really is all perspective
ReplyDeleteI prefer the colorway and bag style that MrB got me: http://wendybrandes.com/blog/2009/12/shiny-happy-birthday/
ReplyDeleteI don't think the tote is very pretty, but I do like the comparison you made between beauty standards in other countries and beauty standards in America.
ReplyDeleteWomen around the world torture themselves for the sake of beauty. I'm sure people wonder why American women get liposuction and boob jobs and tooth veneers and all the other strange things we day. They're really no different.
I saw a documentary on this once and it was fascinating. And Oprah did a whole show on different faces of beauty in the world. Seems so crazy yet it's staked in decades of tradition! All I can say is "ouch".
ReplyDeletei heard in africa everyone does it, that it protects form animals (as you said), and because long necks are prized. however, after taking some of the brass loops off, they couldn't hold their heads up properly because of the loops. :(
ReplyDeleteI saw a show on that tribe too. crazy how they keep on adding rings to slowly elongate the neck but I think it's amazing that they have kept the tradition.
ReplyDeletei'm not big on the print of the prada bag either.
Give me a pair of stiletto shoes over that neck thing anytime, LOL!! Love the Prada bag, but its way too pricy!!
ReplyDeleteIt is weird to see these traditions, and you're right, they are always imposed on girls. I hate to make judgments about other people's culture and traditions because I'm sure some of my own traditions come off as bizarre to others but anything that makes women physically change who they are kind of irks me in the wrong way. I'm reading this book "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" and lots of it has to do with the suffering of women during their foot binding days and days afterward. But they were in no position to question these transformative decisions, and I fear that women in other culture may feel the same way when they are trapped in a tradition that alters their bodies permanently.
ReplyDelete-Marz
I just love this tote! I can hardly wait until Spring to take some of my mine out of the attic.
ReplyDeleteOMG!! she looks horrible!!!
ReplyDeletei love that tote!!! cute and gorgeous!!