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Visit an Ethnic Hilltribe Village

While in Chiang Mai or elsewhere in Northern Thailand, I highly recommend making a daytrip excursion to a traditional village of one of the local hilltribe ethnic groups.

Over 100 years ago, the Hilltribe peoples migrated south from China into what are now Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand.
The six major tribes are the Karen (Kariang, Yang), the Hmong (Meo), the Yao (Mien), the Akha (Ekaw), the Lisu (Lisaw), and the Lahu (Mussur).

The main profession of all these tribes is farming, and all of them tend to migrate whenever they feel that the soil at their present location is becoming depleted.

Each tribe is distinct, with its own culture, religion, language, art, and dress. With Thailand undergoing rapid modern development, it is difficult yet to say whether these tribes will continue in their traditional ways of life, or whether they will eventually be assimilated into mainstream Thai society. When visiting a hilltribe village, remember show the utmost respect to your hosts and do not treat them like a human zoo. It is recommend to present small gifts or money to villagers who show you their homes or allow you to photograph them.

By Rodan

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