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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
We visited one of the Lisu villages (via our guide) and these women were kind enough to stop by and talk to us on their way to church! Thus, their colorful, traditional costume is literally their Sunday best! There's a small chapel in the village, apparently. According to our guide, missionaries are numerous and travel from village to village. The Lisu people are from Burma and southern China, but many grous have migrated to Thailand. According to local information they often settle near mountain tops close to water sources as the Lisu are master engineers and have very good irrigation works in their villages. They are one of the smallest ethnic groups in Thailand, and comprise only about four percent of the total hilltribe population. They are a relatively new addition, first migrating in the 1920s. Marriage ceremonies are extremely important among the Lisu, who spend lavishly on dowries, clothing and goods. Most are farmers who grow rice, corn and vegetables. Many also supplement their income by making and selling traditional tribal handicrafts, much of which we saw at the Night Market in Chiang Mai. Each village has a spirit house and each house has a small shrine dedicated to spirits and ancestors.
Most of the hilltribe groups are not indigenous Thai, but refugees migrated from other areas, primarily southern China and Tibet. Over the last few centuries various groups came south into Burma, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand from Southern Thailand. The Thai government has now recognized some of the groups, however, and they have certain rights. Six groups now have official recognition: The Karen (Kariang or Yang), Hmong (Meo), Yao (Mien), Akha (Ekaw), Lisu (Lisaw) and Lahu (Mussur). Most of the villages remain agricultural in nature, so the groups migrate frequently when the soil becomes depleted. Some of the villages are permanent or semi-permanent, however, with residents building cinder-block homes and owning vehicles. Each tribe is distinct and has its own culture, religion, languge, art and style of dress. Most don't mind visitors, and many invited us into the villages and even into their homes. Many visitors stay at the villages for a small fee while trekking through the mountains. |
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