Indigenous Groups

One part of Thailand’s population consists of the smaller ethnic groups, also commonly named as hill tribes or indigenous groups. It was estimated that these indigenous groups has a population of 750,000 people. There are currently 7 main indigenous groups, namely the Karen (Yang), Hmong (Meo), Yao (Mien), Akha, Lahu (Musur), Lisu, and Lawa. However, not all are native to Thailand, as some moved over to this land from other countries as a form of shelter when there were wars in the past.

The original tribes of these groups are animists, which mean that all things even in the lifeless forms have souls or spirits. Yet, Globalization has lead to an exposure of different cultures and religion to them, with some converting to Christianity or Buddhism. These indigenous groups have their own unique culture and customs that is totally different from the Thais in the city. I will be covering on 3 of the most prominent hill tribes.


1) Karen (Yang)

Karen Hill Tribe

Karen people were originally from Myanmar but wars have resulted in them seeking refuge in Thailand in the 18^th century. They are the largest tribal group in Thailand, with a population of 350,000. It is sub divided into four main groups, Black Karen, Padung, White Karen and Red Karen. They are renowned for their weaving skills and striking traditional dresses. Also, Karen women believe a woman’s beauty is defined by how elaborated and detailed the designs of her clothes are Unmarried women are seen wearing simple thick woven v-necked white blouses with vertical stripes while married women’s tops are decorated with beads. Karen men wear black shirts with red cummerbunds and head scarves. They are self sufficient in terms of growing their own cotton, spinning it into threads and dye it. Padung Karen is well-known for their giraffe-necked women. As young as two years old, they will start to wear heavy copper neck rings, hence elongating the neck. There are many myths as to why such custom is practiced. One of them is that they believed it will make women look unattractive to their enemies so they would not be taken away as slaves or wives. However, by doing so, it will actually harm the growth and structure of their spine as such copper neck rings will push their collar bones several centimetres down.


2) Akha

The poorest of the hill tribes, Akha originated in the Tibetan highlands or Yunnan, China, before migrating to Burma then to Northern Thailand. There are an estimated number of 20,000 Akha people living in this country. Even though they are dressed in black, they still look distinctive because of their unique headwear which consists of aluminium balls, silver coins, white beads topped off with coloured strands of silk. Women wear black leggings in various horizontal bands of colours with a black skirt. A coloured pouch will be seen tied around their waist. Akha men wear basic black pants and shirts. Like Karen, they are also self sufficient and good in embroidery skills. Akha tribes like to build villages on mountain ridges which is very high altitude because it guarantees fresh water and good farmland.

Akha's best styled hat

Akha village

3) Hmong (Meo)

Most of the Hmongs live in China, their homeland. However, some have migrated to the United States, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar. Only 130,000 Hmong people still live in Thailand. They are classified into two divisions. The Blue Hmong wear pleated batik-patterned skirts, black satin jackets with red and orange embroidered cuffs. White Hmong women wear indigo-dyed trousers with jackets that have blue cuffs. The White Hmong men wear a black decorated and embroidered jacket with Chinese style three-quarter length trousers. Hmong women wear their handmade silver jewellery to indicate wealth in the tribal group. Hmong designs often incorporate batik and embroidery, causing their clothes to be regarded among the more intricate of the hill-tribe costumes. Traditional Hmong beliefs are strongly animistic, and most of them have resisted conversion to other religions. Hmong tribe has an interesting piece of jewellery called the “soul lock” that claims to keep the soul in the body. 

Soul Lock