The main hill tribes in Northern Thailand

Posted by paul on December 17th, 2007 filed in Attractions, Locals

The people of the hill tribes moved more than a century ago from Chinese regions to countries which today are known as Myanmar (Burma), Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. There are six main hill tribes including: the Akha, Hmong, Karen, Lahu, Yao and the Lisu. Farming is the principal way of making a living for each of these tribe peoples. Traditionally the tribes moved to another area as soon as the soil wasn’t fertile anymore. Each ethnic minority has its own religious believes, cultural traditions and customs, crafts, language and clothing. Unfortunately the tribes’ traditional way of live is slowly vanishing and in the future they probably will be absorbed (some against their will) into the Thai society. Below are the brief introductory descriptions with regards to the six tribes, living on Thai soil:

The Hmong people live in traditional houses, which are directly attached to the earth, not constructed on stilts like the majority of the other tribes. Their houses’ principal floor isn’t at ground level. This floor is built upon some kind of a root cellar, which is used for storing food products. Only the male members of this unique tribe are allowed to practice labour. During ceremonial events the Hmong proudly wear their silver ornaments. The highly devoted “sky spirit” is the main factor in these independent, patient and diligent people’s religion.

The Akha hill tribe is the most known group as their colourful images appear on many promotional tourism posters. They are one of Northern Thailand’s main tourist attractions. However, it is really a shame that these people hardly benefit from tourism. The authentic villages still represent the carved wooden gate, which functions as the entrance for the protecting guardian spirits. The simple raised Akha houses usually contain one small and special room, which serves as a spot for paying respect to the ancestors. The open ground is where most of the community’s daily life takes place. Here the people celebrate their main annual festivities. The swing festival is the most known Akha festival. Observed by the elders, young females and males meet at a giant swing. Akha people aren’t difficult to recognise due to their colourful traditional clothes while the women, wear their, with old silver coins ornamented, black heads.

Tourists in Chiang Mai having fun with senior, handicrafts-selling, Akha women

The Karen people prefer building their villages in the foothills. The houses are made of bamboo and rest on stilts. Domestic animals such as chickens, buffaloes and pigs live in the space below. The Karen peoples are mainly living from crop cultivation and practice skilled farming techniques. Crossbows and spears are the main tools, which they use in game hunting activities. Clearing land is often done with labour from tamed elephants. The females enjoy outstanding dyeing and sewing skills. The living elders and ancestors are highly respected in Karen culture. The traditional clothes of these kind and peaceful people are easy recognisable. The women wear white sarong-blouse sets, combined with brightly coloured patterns. White scarves cover their, in a bun tied long hair.

The Lisu people have the reputation being the most handsome of all the tribes. They consider themselves superior compared with their neighbouring tribes. They are probably the most assertive and many of them don’t avoid competition with the Thai population.

Lisu settlements are mostly found within a short distance of mountain tops and they usually build their villages as near as possible to waterfalls and streams. The only one door containing houses are parallel positioned to the mountain’s face, which is the one providing their living environment. Karen villages all feature a spirit house while a little shrine, for paying respect to ancestors and spirits, is present in each house as well. The Lisu are often nicknamed “the hill tribe engineers” due to the long bamboo made construction in the majority of their villages, which transports water from the nearest source to their community.

The Lahu are skilled hunters. In their language the word Lahu means hunter. This tribe is also renowned for their knowledge of medical herbs. Members of the Lahu tribe are generally taller compared with the other tribe peoples. The Lahu love living their life as laid-back as possible, and filled with entertainment. The male members usually dress in a uniformly style while the women like to wear beautifully handmade silver earrings and on their heads colourfully decorated turbans. The houses in the villages rest on stilts and they also use the space below to accommodate several different species of domestic animals.

Close to dense forested areas, among low hills is the preferable living environment for the Yao tribe. Their houses are not resting on stilts and the main room’s centre features a cooking fire spot. This room is also the place for the little shrine, which also is used for paying respect to the guardian spirit and ancestors, who, as they believe, are present in each house. Paintings made by members of the Yao have a distinguished style and often express religious believes. Chinese is where their language originates from and contains Chinese characters. Having the reputation for being the “hill tribe businessmen”, the Yao are also very skilled in producing metal farming tools such as ploughs and axes. Their ability of producing the highest quality of paper is a result of the tribe’s long knowledge of written language, which is truly unique compared with the other tribes. Read more about Thailand’s various hill tribes.