HMONG

A Blue Hmong girl	A Blue Hmong girl in a dress

New Year's Party	Blue Hmong Children

They are often called "Meo" or "Miao", however, they call themselves and prefer to be called "Hmong" meaning human. They belong to Miao-Yao family. 130,000 Hmong of Thailand migrated from Laos since the end of 19th century, and currently live in Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Tak, Sukhothai, and Phetchabun province. The other live in China (approx. 5.07million), Vietnam(approx. 670,000), Laos (approx. 230,000), and also some in Shan state of Burma. Many migrated to the USA and Europe as refugees after fighting against communists during Lao civil war. Thai Hmong has two types. One is Blue Hmong and the other is White Hmong. Their differences can be seen in clothing, language and custom. Most of them believe animism, and they are famous as excellent bamboo pipe players.

YAO

Women's dress	Wedding	Dress for men

Yao call themselves "Mien" (meaning human in their language), and belong to Miao-Yao family. Yao live in China (approx. 1.4 million), Northern Vietnam (approx. 580,000), Laos (approx. 23,000), Thailand (approx. 47,000), and also some in Shan state of Burma. Some of them moved to the United States after fighting at Indo-china war just like Hmong. Yao of Thailand migrated from Laos about 100 years ago, currently live in Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Lampang, kampheangphet, and Phisanulok province. Cultures and customs of Yao are strongly influenced by those of Chinese. Examples can be seen in books written on their ancestors in Chinese Characters, and religion with Chinese Taoism. Interestingly, legend of Yao says their first ancestor was born between dog (as a father) and a daughter of ancient Chinese Emperor (as a mother).

AKHA

Swing Festival of Akha	Children at the Swing Festival	Lomi Akha women
Akheu, the subgroup of Akha	Entrance to the Akha village	Ulo Akha girl

People of Akha belong to Tibet-Burman family, and are believed to be originated from Qiang people in Tibet. Today, Akha people live in Yunnan province of China (approx. 300,000), Shan state of Burma (approx. 180,000), Northern Laos (approx. 60,000), and Northern Thailand (approx. 50,000). Most of the Akha people in Thailand live in Chiang Rai. The first Akha entered Thailand from Kengtong area of Burma in 1903, and were initially settled north of Maekok river in Chiang Rai. There are three Akha subgroups in Thailand, Ulo, Lomi and Phami, and differences can be seen in women's headdress and embroidery of their costume. Akha have their own religion. At the village entrance gate they have wood dolls of both male and female guarding them from evil sprits. Woman's headdress is also meant to protect from evil sprits. Their religious courtesy is very complicated, and is dying as young people do not succeed, and the influence of the Christianity is increasing.

LAHU

Costume for Lahu Nyi	New Year's dance of Lahu Na and their clothing	Lahu Nyi shrine and a Lahu Laba couple

Lahu is also one of the Tibet-Burman family together with Akha and Lisu. People call them "Musseu" which means "hunter". They live in Yunnan province of China (approx. 400,000), Shan state of　Burma (approx. 150,000), Northern　Vietnam (approx. 5,400),　Northern Laos (approx. 10,000), and Thailand (approx. 80,000). Early 1880s Lahu moved to Fang area of Chiang Mai from Burma, and today they reside in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Tak, and KamphaengPhet province. There are a lot of subgroups and the major ones in Thailand are Lahu Nyi (Red Lahu), Lahu Na (Black Lahu), Lahu She Leh (BaLan,Ba Keo), and Lahu Shi (Yellow Lahu). Lahu Na dialect is used as a common language among them, and is playing vital role as a lingua franca for highland people. Many Lahu Na and Lahu Shi became Christians, but many of Lahu Nyi and Lahu She Leh are still believing in their traditional animism. They have interesting naming custom, and all the boys have "Ja" in the front and "Na" in the girls' name.

LISU

A Lisu girl in a dress	Costume for men	New Year's dance of Lisu (Doichaang)

New Year's dance in Doichaang	Lisu house	Lisu children

Lisu people also belong to Tibet-Burman family, and are believed to be originated in Eastern Tibet. Today Lisu people live in China (approx. 500,000), Burma (approx. 250,000), Thailand (approx. 32,000), and Northeastern India (several thousands). Majority of Lisu in Thailand is Flower Lisu with very colourful costume, and Black Lisu is also found in Chiang Mai. It was 1905 when first Lisu people arrived into Thailand from Burma, and were initially settled in Fang area in Chiang Mai. Today, They live in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Payao, Tak, KamphaengPhet, Phetchabun, and Sukhothai province. They have strong Chinese influence in their cultures. For example they celebrate Chinese New Year and they use chopsticks. Also, they use Chinese counting in their naming, i.e, Amima (the eldest daughter),　Alema (the second), and Asama(the third). Although they still have their own animism, the number of Christians is increasing in the Lisu community.