The Padaung is one of the 8 ethnic Karen communities in Myanmar. They are best known for the unusual practice that the women develop, of wearing brass rings around their necks, arms and legs. The women are often called the long-neck women of Myanmar. The brass coils are first applied when the girls are about 5 years old, and as the girl grows older, longer coils are added. The weight of the brass pushes down the collar bone and compresses the rib cage, giving the appearance of a very long neck.