Thailand travel guide - Northern Hilltribes
- Aka
- Hmong
- Karen
- Lisu
- Yao
- Lahu
 Hmong
The Hmong are scattered throughout many countries,
including China, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand. Within
Thailand they are found in many provinces, including
Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Mae Hong
Son and Tak. They belong to the Meo-Yao branch of the
Austro-Thai linguistic group. The Hmong are the second
largest tribal group after the Karen.
There are three subgroups of Hmong to be found in Thailand:
the Blue Hmong (Mong Njua), the White Hmong (Hmong Daw)
and the Hmong Gua M'ba. The White Hmong and the Hmong
Gua M'ba are very similar, the latter have only been
in Thailand for a few years (they came across the border
from Laos). The White Hmong women wear indigo trousers
on most occasions but have a white pleated skirt for
special occasions. The Blue Hmong women wear an indigo
batik design skirt at all times, the skirt having many
many pleats.
Hmong families are patrilineal and polygamy is allowed.
After marriage wives move into the husband's house.
The extended family is the most important unit in a
Hmong village and after that the clan is most important.
Clans are identified by their name and most villages
normally have families from more than one clan. Marriage
within the clan is not allowed.
The Hmong prefer to set their villages at high altitudes
of 1000-1200m and practice shifting cultivation. They
will often move great distances in search of new and
better land. Their primary crops are dry rice and corn
with vegetables for cash crops.
The Hmong worship their ancestors and many other spirits.
The village priest and shaman are very important people
in the village. Their ceremonies also show their close
connections to Chinese culture.
New Year, after the rice harvest is the most important
ceremony of the year and you will often see the people
wearing silver, which is a sign of wealth. The Hmong
men are accomplished silversmiths.
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