Indigenous groups

Hill tribes in Chiang Mai

Northern Thailand is a home to many ethnic minorities known as the hill tribes. The tribes are mostly consisting of poor people, thus they normally welcome tourists to their place; entertain them hoping in return for the money that tourists spend on food, accommodations and buying their arts & craft.

Over the past century, these hill tribes have migrated from Asian interior into the region and maintain their traditional ways of lives which make them a very interesting culture for visitor to understand. The people rather live on their own lifestyles at the remote areas than getting influence by the outside world.

Cultivating opium is the main source of income to earn a living for most hill tribes. The government was successful in trying to stop the people to cultivate opium by giving them alternatives such as growing cash crops like fruits and cabbages.

There are seven groups of hill tribes found in Chiang Mai. They are Karen, Lahu, Hmong, Lisu, Akha, Mien and paduang. Then again, within these groups, there are sub-groups and clans that further divide them. Each hill tribe distinguish themselves by having different languages, costumes, dress and beliefs.

Karen

The population of Karen is approximately 300,000 and they originated from Myanmar. They are the largest group among the minority groups. There are three core sub-groups within the Karen. They are the White Karen or Sgaw, Black Karen or Pgo and Red Karen or Kayah.

The Karen wears woven v-neck tunics of a variety of natural colours and turbans.  Women who are still single will wear very unique long white v-neck tunics. The Karen stay at the lowland area thus agriculture will be their main occupations. They are practising crop rotation so as to protect and preserve the forest so that the soil has time to replenish its nutrients for next plantation to occur in a few years’ time. Hence, the Karen is known as the most environmentally conscious tribe in Chiang Mai.

Lahu

The population of Lahu is approximately 73,000 and the people are originated from Yunnan and Myanmar. The Lahu or Musor, mostly found near the border of Bermese, has five sub-groups. They are the Red Lahu, Yellow Lahu, Lahu Sheleh, White Lahu and last but not least, the Black Lahu being the largest sub-group which contribute to nearly 80% of the Lahu population.

The women dress up in a unique black and red jackets and shirts while the men dress up in baggy green or blue pants. They are well-known as good hunters, and the cultivation of vegetables as their main survival with some earnings from the production of opium.          

Hmong

The population of Hmong is approximately 124,000 and the people are originated from Yunnan. Hmong, also known as Meo, is the second largest hill tribe in Chiang Mai. They are well-known for their complex embroidery or needlework.

There are two sub-groups: the White Hmong and Green Hmong. In Thailand, the Green Hmong contribute to the most numbers. The women dress up embroidered heavily and pleated skirts while the men dress up in baggy black pants with colourful embroidery along the cuffs and seams.

Lisu

The population of Lisu is approximately 28,000 and the people are originated from Tibet/ Yunnan. The Lisu women are differentiated from other tribes by their colourful tunics, dressed over long pants.  The people survive by rearing domestic animals, plant corns and vegetables. The Lisu are allowed to marry people of different tribes.

Akha

The population of Akha is approximately 50,000 and the people are originated from Tibet/Myanmar. The Akha is the poorest among the hill tribes and oppose to blend in into the Thai culture. However, they are the most interesting and colourful among the hill tribes that tourists can visit them easily especially those who live in Chiang Rai. Many of them have turn to become Christian although some people criticise that this has weaken their culture.

The Akha are strong in oral literature tradition which means they can narrate stories about their ancestors back many generations.  The Akha womwn distinguish themselves by dressing up very plain indigo died shirts that are decorated with all kinds attractive paraphernalia like coins and beads. Each year, the Akha celebrate their distinctive swing festival.

Mien

The population of Mien is approximately 40,000 and the people originated from the Central China. Mien or Yao is a distant family of the Hmong, thus many Mien of the older age are able to write Chinese. The Mien lives in remote villages near to Chiang Rai and Nan. The Mien women are famous for their long black jackets that are decorated with pom=pom like red trim. They are known for their skilful embroiderers and silversmiths.

Padaung

The population of Padaung is marginal and the people are originated from Thailand. Padaung, being a sub-group of the Shan, speak a dialect that is similar to Thai language known as Thai Yai as it has been blend in into the Thai culture.

Padaung is famous for their long neck women which has attracted many tourists. To increase the number of tourists visiting Padaung, women add brass rings onto their neck to make it long so as to attract tourists. This will help them generate income when tourists visit the place and spent on food, accommodation etc.