Northern Thailand has been a tendency for the diverse ethnic groups of Southeast Asia to migrate here.

The tribes are one of the main tourist attractions in the north of Thailand.

There are six major tribes (or minority ethnic gorups) in northern Thailand, and several minor ones. Each tribe is as different in culture - costume, beliefs and language. However, many of the hilltribe cultures have a common root.

Their most obvious skills are in their handicrafts; and particularly in the design and production of the most beautiful women's costumes, in many different colors and designs, varying from tribe to tribe. However, we can admire many more things in them, such as their spirituality, holistic medicines, and tolerance.

The most obvious and remarkable characteristics of the so-called hilltribes are their colorful, exquisitely crafted costumes and the beauty of their adornments. Their skills can also be seen in their tools, basketry, weapons, and musical instruments.

Each tribe has a unique range of styles and colors particular to it. Great time, pride, and imagination are exercised in the production of clothes and jewellery. They are an expression of status, pride and art. Many women still wear traditional costume, but the men and children are adopting western shorts, jeans, and T-shirts for everyday wear.

Most articles are produced within each family. Women spin cloth and make their clothes, while men make tools and weapons. Specialist blacksmiths and silversmiths have high status within the community, and may attract business from other villages many kilometers away.

Jewelry is commonly made from silver, most melted down from Indian and Burmese silver coins. Brass, copper and aluminium are also used. The jewelry amassed by a family are the outward display of their wealth, worn by the women at the New Year festival.

Clothing and handicrafts were not until the last ten years regarded as marketable products. With encouragement from the Thai government and the King's Royal Project, co-operatives have been set up to manufacture and market their traditional goods, which are now big business in the markets of Thailand, and can be purchased at countless outlets throughout the world.

RELIGION

The hill tribes are predominantly animists, although amongst the Karen, Yao and Akha there are Christian and Buddhist minorities. Animists believe that conscious spirits with powers over humans exist throughout their surroundings. Some spirits are protective and beneficial, others are potentially harmful. By adopting the correct way of life, and making offerings to enlist the help of good spirits, life will be harmonious. The tribes also believe that certain members of their society are able to communicate with this complex spirit world, and these shaman are of great importance to everyone's quality of life.

For most of northern Thailand's mountain peoples, paying respect to the spirit of one's dead ancestors is of the greatest importance. Death is seen as a passage into the spirit world, and is celebrated as such with careful ceremony.

All the groups make sacrificial offerings to their guardian spirits - by presenting food, such as chickens and pigs. These offerings are very important to ensure as problem-free a life as possible.

DAILY LIFE

The majority of hilltribe people are farmers. Their basic crops are mountain rice in the wet season and corn in the dry season. A variety of other vegetables and fruit are grown. The evenings are given over to dinner and social activities. Both men and women share farming work. Younger children are cared for by grandparents too old to work in the fields, or by their older brothers and sisters. Women usually work harder than men. They will be awake before dawn, preparing breakfast, and any spare time is taken up with weaving or embroidery. The girls learn these skills from as young as five years old, hence their wonderful ability.

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