On my visit to Northern Thailand last month, my guide brought me to a village north of Chiang Mai where different hill tribe groups live.
Each tribe has a designated area where they have small businesses set up. There, they sell weavings, jewelry and other tourist-oriented items as well as some food items to the locals.
Yes, there’s a slight feel that this has all been set up for tourists. But my guide, who was very sensitive to the plight of the hill tribe people, repeatedly reminded me that if these people didn’t have this village, they’d have nothing. It truly is a way for them to earn a living and be safe.
Many of them have fled Myanmar due to the repressive regime that has been known to slaughter the hill tribe people. Most of these refugees are afraid to return, despite what appears to be progressive changes in Myanmar. Even so, they still don’t trust that they won’t be persecuted for returning. So here they remain.
Most of the hill tribe people you’ll see in the village are women or young girls (it was unclear where the men were – perhaps working in the fields?). And most are bedecked in a combination of traditional clothing (items they’ve woven themselves) and traditional jewelry supplemented with “modern” plastic bracelets, necklaces, and anklets.
The ladies were all really quite sweet. But I was fortunate to have a guide who took the time to speak with them (many spoke at least some Thai) and have a dialog with them.
Clothes are still made in the traditional way with a backstrap loom.
As you’ll see throughout much of Southeast Asia, many of the hill tribe women wearing a headwrap.
I thought it interesting that this woman was wearing a cross. Many of the hill tribes have been influenced by missionaries over the years. While some do adapt a Christian way of life, they also hold on to their animist beliefs as well – integrating several belief systems (as we all do) quite nicely.
The Long Neck women and girls can be found here as well. At an early age, it’s determined whether their astrological sign warrants the wearing of these brass coils around their neck, arms and legs.
Reports surfaced many years ago that a Long Neck woman could not remove her coils because they would have weakened her muscles to the extent that she couldn’t hold her head up and she’d die. Not true. See above.
This woman wasn’t feeling well and therefore had removed her coils so that she could take better care of a sore throat she was nursing.
Here’s the village itself. Not a bad location – especially in contrast to busy Chiang Mai!
*****
I went to Chiang Mai and Laos to do some research for a hill tribe-focused tour for 2014. Stay tuned for details!
Travel Well,
Beth
Related links:
Tours to Southeast Asia
Sarah Shaw says
Beautiful photos, Beth. I love their traditional clothes. You know my fondness for the Hill Tribe people. I can’t wait to learn more about the tour!
Ethel Mae says
I love the vivid colors. I’d say some super photography. Thanks, Beth.
Josh says
Gorgeous portraits, Beth. I always love it when I see people taking portrait shots with the subject looking directly into the camera 🙂
Beth Whitman says
Thanks, Josh. It was pretty wild to see all of these tribes in one location.