Lisu (Lisaw)

There are over one million Lisu tribesfolk in China, Burma and North-Eastern India.  There are none in Lao or Vietnam.  Thailand has around 25,000 in the Northern area, they arrived in the early 1900's to establish small settlements in the mountains.

They believe they are the only tribe to survive a global flood.

Lisu costume is the most striking of all tribes with colourful striped tunics worn by women.  As with most tribes the men tend to wear dark clothing, a black jacket in this case.

(Kariang or Karen)

The Karen are thought to have originated in Tibet and have lived in Burma for hundreds of years. They have been in Thailand since the eighteenth century.

There are today some four million Karen in Burma and 280,000  in the mountain areas all along the Thai side of the Burmese border.

Karen believe a white "younger brother" will come from over the waters bringing with him knowledge of writing that had been long ago lost. As a result many embraced Christianity easily upon meeting the foreign missionaries

The Karen have a special relationship with elephants and their trainers are the best in Asia.

Akha (Igor)

30,000 Akha in Thailand, in the Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai province. They began to arrive at the beginning of the century from Burma and in the south of China. Ancestor worship is the most important factor in their lives. Akha think of themselves as a link in the chain of his ancestors and will be able to recite the names of at least sixty of them.

In due course they will become one an ancestor themselves to be revered by his own descendants.

The Akha are the least developed of all tribes in Thailand

Yao (Mien)

30,000 Yao tribes live in Thailand.  They crossed the border from China via Laos at the end of the ninetieth century.

The Yao are literate and in many ways the most sophisticated of the hilltribal people. They use Chinese characters for writing their ancestral and medicinal books. Many of their Taoist ritual date back to the thirteenth century.

They also believe in a spirit world that is the opposite of the human one. They believe that people have several souls and ancestors, especially those of male lineage, are deeply revered.

*Note that the name Meo is considered derogatory and is only used in this instance for clarity as many guide books use this name for the tribe.

Hmong (Meo)

The Hmong have an ancient history in China and for long periods in the eighteen and nineteenth centuries they were again caught up in war against the Pratet Lao communists.  There are over four million Hmong in China and some 80,000 in Thailand.

Spirit worship is practiced and the family unit is very strong.

They have developed good business skills and trade in agriculture products.

Musser (Lahu)

In Thailand there are some 60,000 Lahu.  They started arriving at the start of the twentieth century.  Several different clans are distinguished by their dress.

Although many Musser have now adopted Christianity, their own beliefs in a Supreme being and many spirits remain strong.

The Musser long for the blessings of this life and the next, for   things that are good and pleasant and, in accordance with the message of an old legend, men are particularly caring of their partners.

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