SAKURA PROJECT operates Sakura Museum of Ethnology on the 3rd floor of Thailand Japan Culture and Friendship Center.
Hilltribes of the Thailand has been making their life self sufficiently by slush-and-burn farming up in the mountain of 500-1500m high in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, and Nan, building up a few dozens of houses in a settlement. Each has their own language, cultures, customs, and costumes, and has highly professional craft skills in common. Children from Akha, Lisu, Lahu, Yao, Hmong, and Karen are living at SAKURA HOSTEL.
Their agricultural cycle, sense of the world based on their animism, ecological lifestyle as well as their hospitality give a kind of suggestion to our lives which are heavily consumption oriented, and has very weak ties in the community.
Nonetheless, along with modernisation of the Thailand, life of the hilltribes has began to change. The museum widely introduces splendid cultures of the hilltribes, hoping to help hilltribes to succeed these important craft skills.
Currently, approximately 200 pieces of costumes, 300 pieces of traditional agricultural tools, everyday goods, and musical instruments from indigenous people including those of Thailand, Myammer, Laos, China are displayed.
Also, there are rich collections of photos and videos on life and courtesies of these tribes that has been collected over 16 years, and it is hoped to be expanded its space to enable to watch their DVDs in the future.
Please visit the museum when you ever have chance to come to Chiang Rai. The admission fee is free of charge.
Opening of the museum, together with Thailand Japan Culture and Friendship Center, was made possible thanks to the cooperation of Tokyo Saihoku Rotary Club