THE HILLTRIBES OF THAILAND Northern Thailand is a mountainous region, and the hilltribe people say, "The plains are yours, but the mountains are ours". The hilltribes or Thai hill people, number about 540,000 in population and include six major tribes: the yao or Mien, the Hmong or Meo, the Lisu or Lisaw, the Karen or Karieng, the Lahy or Muser, and the Akha or lkaw. While some of these hilltribes migrated to the mountains of Northern Thailand 100 to 150 years ago, others are more recent arrivals. The hilltribes which have been resident for a longer period are the Hmong, Yao and Lusu. These tribes migrated from Guangzee and Guangtoong in South China; they have facial features and languages similar to the Chinese. They even use the word "Zah" in their last names as do the Chinese. The Lahu and Akha share similar physical features and languages, but are different in costumes and dresses. These two hilltribes migrated from Tibet via Myanmar (then Burma) to finally settle in Thailand. The Karen are of the largest population among various hilltribes in Thailand, and they migrated from Burma where most ethnic Karen people still reside. They are the only hilltribe with their own spoken and written language. Generally, hilltribes and animists who believe in spirits of all kinds: heavenly spirits, natural spirits, ancestral spirits, house spirits and spirits of certain things. In tribal culture, there is no chieftain for each tribe who can extend his power over all villages belonging to his ethnic group. The following is a brief description of the distinguishing feature of each tribe. The hilltribes practice shifting agricultural cultivation which destroys the forests as they move their fields very few years, cutting down trees and burning away the underbush in order to clear new area for cultivation. Deforestation be hilltribes to cultivate crops can be seen all over Northern Thailand, they go far into the forest where they think officials will not see damage. Chiang Rai is Thailand's northernmost province. It is one of nineteen provinces in the northern regin of Thailand where the hilltribes live. The nine hilltribes have a total population of about 105,000 in Chiang Rai province. Karen The Karen of Karieng is the largest hilltribe group the Thailand, with a population of 275,354 people, representing 50 percent of the hilltribe population in Thailand. They have their own spoken and written language, called Karen language. The Karen migrated from Burma about 100 years ago, and they can still be found crossing the Thai-burmese border, but Thai Authorities are trying to discourage their resettlement the Thailand. Now there are 2-3 sub groups of Karen in Thailand: Karen-Lakaw,Pow, Pa-O and Khaya or Red Karen. Their traditional homeland is in Burma, where most ethnic Karen still live and are currently fighting against the Burmese government for their independent state. The marital status of the Karen women can be determined by the color of the clothes she is wearing. If they are wearing white, they are still single, and if they are wearing other colors such as red or black, they are married. This prevents any unfortunate consequences of flirtational activity. Aside from practicing agriculture like other hilltribes,the Karen are known for weaving skills. They weave cloth from cotton, primarily for their own use. However, tourists can also buy these items, which are now selling for higher prices. The Karen mostly settle on the mountaintops like other hilltribes, but recently more Karen are setting in the valleys. The Karen belivev in Christanity, which is the result of missionary influence. The have largely abandoned their beliefs and customs concerning spirits. There is another group of Karen in Thailand which migrated from Burma. The are found in the Mae Hong Son Province, close to the Burmese border. These Karen are called Padong. Padong women ewar lange brass collars which cause their necks to be elongated. The Padong believe that long necks are swan-like and a sign of beauty. Accordingly, Thai people call them "Karieng Kor Yao" or "long-necked Karen" Hmong The Hmong or Meo, migrated from South China, and their physical features and spoken language are also similar to the Chinese. Currently, the Hmong number about 82,356 people, representing about 15 per cent of the hilltribe population in Thailand. The Hmong prefer large families, and their average family size of eight persons is the largest of all the hilltribes. The Hmong are divided into two sub-groups: the Blue Hmong or Black Hmong and the White Hmone. The main occupation of the Hmong is shifting agriculture. The crops most commonly cultivated are upland rice, corn, and soybeans. They no longer grow opium since the government has tried to reduce opium production. The status of Hmong Women are similar to other hilltribes in that the women work harder than the men, performing tasks both inside and outside the house and raising the children. However, it seems that the women willingly work and are unconcerned with equality to the men. Lahu The Lahu or Muser, who number about 59,813 persons, which is about 10.33 per cent of Thailand's hilltribe opoulation, migrated to Northern Thailand from Tibet and South China through Burma to settle in Fang District of Chiang Mai Province 100 years ago. The Lahu spoken language is in the Sino-Tibetan group, characterised by single words. There are 4-5 sub groups comprising Lahu-Yi or Red Lahu, Lahu-Chele or Black Lahu, Lahu-Balan, Lahu-Na and Lahu-Shi. Lahu traditional dress is black with trimmings of white and other colors, and is mostly made from woven cotton. Presently. however, many Lahu villagers have discovered the cenvenience of towels and use them as a substitute for their traditional headdress. The Lahu New Year celebration, or what they call "Gin Waw" falls about the same time as the Chinese New Year and lasts for a full five to seven days. Aside from dancing all day and all night, the Lahu also practice the tradition of "Dam Hua" or pouring water over the hands of the elders. There is one hilltribe of about 200 persons, found in the fang district by the Hilltribe Development and Welfare Center of Chiang Mai in 1986. They dress very similarly to the Lahu and call themselves "Palong". Their dress differs from other hilltribes in that they weave a bamboo belt around their waist. Yao The Yao or Mien numbers about 37,000 people, or about 7 percent of the total hilltribe population in Thailand. They practice shifting agriculture and are known to produce much opium. In the past, the Yao liked to settle high on the mountains, but after migrating to Thailand, many Yao have settled in lower area alongside Thai villagers and adopted the most beautiful of all the hilltribes. The women wear baggy pants and a head-dress featuing detailed embroidery which show their skill for beauty and detail. It takes about one full year to make a woman's traditional costume. The Yao have a system of marrying within their tribe and holding large wedding equivalent to about 3,000 Baht, which the groom must offer to the family of the bride. Some brides command a dowry of up to ten "Taeng" or 30,000 baht. Apart from Yao custom and traditions being similar to those of the Chinese, the Yao also use a similar spoken and written language. They have their own written language, but most Yao cannot write efficienty, and the new generations of Yao learn Thai. The Yao believe that handicrafts are among the best due to thier very detailed and high quality craftsmanship. Presently, their handwork is most intersting to tourists. Akha The Akha or lkaw, migrated from Burma, Laos and China, and presently there are some 33,500 people, representing 6 per cent of Thailand's hilltribe population. The Akha do not accept the name "Ikaw" and call themselves "Akha". Before entering an Akha village, you will notice a special gate for spirits, which the Akha constructed to prevent bad spririts from entering the village. According to their ancident traditions, they reconstruct this gate once every year in a ceremony led by the village spirit master. No one is permitted to interfere with this gate in any way, or the spirits will have to be appeased through a ceremony. Normally, the Akha like to settle high upon the mountains between 3,000 and 4,000 feet above the sea level. Aside from cultivation of rice, corn, and soybeans, some Akha still cultivate opium. Among all the hilltribes, the Akha probably have the highest rate of opium addiction among males, who believe opium can cure diseases and pain. Sometimes, Akha children will form groups and perform traditional dances as taught by their elders and school teachers. A ground provided with benches, perhaps near the swing, is where young people gather in the evening to enjoy themselves swinging, dancing and courting. The belief is that sexual intercourse strengthens boys and natures girl, but also that when a girl has a baby, she should have a husband as well, so that while enthusiasm and experimentation are part of the proceedings, there are certain ground rules. Another Akha tradition is the swinging ceremony held in August and September, of during the period when the rice is maturing. The ceremony is to thank the spirits of the sky and land. All of the people in the village gather together in the moring and stay until night. One widely held befief is that twin children born in the village will bring bad fortune. If the mother does not kill both infants after birth, she must move out of the village. This belief has changed in those Akha villages which have accepted Christianity or Buddhism as their religion. Akha women dress most beautifully among the hilltribes and have a very ornate costume. The woman's headdress is laden with silver coins, and the back features colored bird feathers. Lisu The Lisu or Lisaw, is the smallest hilltribe group in Thailand, with a population of 24,573 Lisu people, about 4.50 percent of Thailand's hilltribe population. The Lisu originally from South China and Tibet, migrating through Burma, and first setting in Thailand at Doi Chang, in Muang district of Chiang Rai Province. The Lisu family life is characterised by thier preference to stay together as an extended family. The Lisu can be divided into two sub-groups: the Lisu Lai and the Black Lisu. Among the raditional marriage is understood as the purchase of a female virgin by a male. If the male does not have sufficient money to pay for this price, he must go to stay and work at the girl's parents' house and provide labor equivalent to the sum. Once he has completed the amount agreed in work, he can marry to the woman. In the unhappy event of marital incompatibility, the couple can divorce. However, if it is the woman who requests the divorce, his parents claim back the money. The female children often stay at home to look after their younger siblings after their parents and older siblings have gone to work in the fields. Aside from their work inside and outside the house, Lisu woman like to go to the streams, in groups, to catch fish and bathe. The present highland population in Thailand is scattered over 21 provinces and 76 districts. The present total population figure, as collected by the Tribal Reserarch Institute is 540,000. This includes nine tribes the Karen, Hmone, Lahu, yao, Akha, Lisu, H'tin, Lua and Khamu. Source : Chiang Rai Hilltribe Education Center CLIMATE AND HILLTRIBES AGRICULTURAL CALENDAR CLIMATE Cold Season, (Late October to the end of February). Average temperature is 13 C, and much cooler at night. The coolest months are December and January. Hot Season, (early March to the end of May). Average temperature is 30 C . The hottest month is April. Rainy Season, (early June to the ena of October). Average temperature is 25.5 C. The wettest month is September. HILLTRIBES AGRICULTURAL CALENDAR -------------------------------- code: 1 KAREN 2 HMONG 3 YAO 4 AKHA 5 LISU 6 LAHU ========================================================================= code JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN ========================================================================= 1 Village Site Slashing Burning Rice Field ceremony Selection field Planting spirit offerring -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 New year Scoring Clearing Field Rice Weeding fastival poppy field burning planting pods -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Embroidering Scoring Clearing Burning Rice,Maize Weeding poppy field field planting pods -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 Weaving Clearing Field Calling Rice Weeding field Burrning rice soul planting ceremony -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 New year Second new Clearing Burning Rice Weeding festival year field field dibbling festival -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 Scoring New year Burning Settingup Rice Weeding poppy festival field the field planting pods spirit house ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ============================================================================ code JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC ============================================================================ 1 Make Weeding Rat Early rice Yearly rice Rice offerring to trapping harvesting harvesting threshing the paddy field spirit ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 Weeding Weeding Poppy seed Thinning Rice New year broadcas- opium harvesting festival ting field ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Weeding Multiple Poppy seed Early rice Yearly rice Rice crops broadcas- harvesting harvesting threshing harvesting ting ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 Weeding Swinging Maize Early rice Yearly rice New year ceremony harves- harvesting harvesting festival ting ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 Weeding Soul Maize Poppy seed Rice Rice Calling harves- broadcas- harvesting threshing ting ting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 Weeding Weeding Make Rice Make offerring harvesting offerring to to the and calling the spirit to opium rice soul the village field spirt ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOURCE : Tribal Research Institute, Chiangmai University ***************Keep clean, save nature and culture***************** .