Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Akha are focused on family ties and will recite their personal genealogies upon first
meetings to determine a shared ancestor. Their traditional clothing consists of a headdress
of beads, feathers and dangling silver ornaments.
Hmong (Mong or Maew)
Population:
151,000
Origin:
South China
Present locations:
South China, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam
Belief system:
Animism
Cultural characteristics:
The Hmong are Thailand's second-largest hill-tribe group and
are especially numerous in Chiang Mai Province with smaller enclaves in the other north-
ern Thai provinces. They usually live on mountain peaks or plateaus above 1000m. Kin-
ship is patrilineal and polygamy is permitted.
Hmong tribespeople wear simple black jackets and indigo or black baggy trousers with
striped borders (White Hmong) or indigo skirts (Blue Hmong) and silver jewellery. Sashes
may be worn around the waist, and embroidered aprons draped front and back. Most wo-
men wear their hair in a bun.
Karen (Yang or Kariang)
Population:
420,000
Origin:
Myanmar
Present locations:
Thailand, Myanmar
Belief system:
animism, Buddhism, Christianity, depending on the group
Cultural characteristics:
The Karen are the largest hill-tribe group in Thailand and num-
ber about half of the total tribal population. They tend to live in lowland valleys and prac-
tise crop rotation rather than swidden agriculture. Their numbers and proximity to main-
stream society have made them the most integrated and financially successful of the hill-
tribe groups. Karen homes are built on low stilts or posts, with the roofs swooping quite
low. There are four distinct Karen groups: the Skaw (White) Karen, Pwo Karen, Pa-O
(Black) Karen and Kayah (Red) Karen.
Thickly woven V-neck tunics of various colours are typically worn (though unmarried
women wear white). Kinship is matrilineal and marriage is monogamous.
