Hill tribes of Northern Thailand - Thai hilltribes, Akha, Karen, Kariang or Yang, Hmong, Lisu and Musur

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Hill tribes of Northern Thailand

Meet the Tribes of the Northern Highlands

Akha live at elevations above 1,000 metres. They eke out a living by growing corn, vegetables, and beans, and raising pigs and chickens. Traditional dwellings for the extended family are divided into men’s and women’s sections. Akha costumes are very ornate, spangled with coins and dripping with bangles.

Akha Hilltribe, Chiang Rai

The Karen, the largest hill tribe in Thailand, are thought to have originated in Tibet and lived in Myanmar for hundreds of years. Adept at raising and handling elephants, the Karen usually live at altitudes of around 500 metres. The women have a well earned reputation as expert weavers.

There are over four million Hmong in Lao P.D.R., China, Vietnam, and Thailand. The women of the White Hmong group wear distinctive indigo trousers, whereas the females of the Blue Hmong have pleated skirts with batik designs. Both groups are patrilineal and polygamous, worship a number of different spirits, and are traditionally slash-and-burn farmers.

Akha live at elevations above 1,000 metres. They eke out a living by growing corn, vegetables, and beans, and raising pigs and chickens. Traditional dwellings for the extended family are divided into men’s and women’s sections. Akha costumes are very ornate, spangled with coins and dripping with bangles.

It is believed that the Musur or Lahu originally came from the highlands of Tibet. Musur communities are usually located at about 1,000 metres above sea level. They cultivate rice, corn and opium in mobile plantations. Most of the Red Musur and the Black Musur believe in ghost spirits while the Yellow Musur are mainly Christian.