Hill Tribe Villages

Visiting the Akha and Lahu Hill Tribe Villages

The Akha Hill Tribe

The Akha live in raised houses, with one room set aside for paying respect to ancestors. Guardian spirits are said to preside over the carved wooden gates that distinguish the village. The women wear black caps covered with silver coins, which is how members of this tribe are most easily identified. The focal point of community life is the open ground. It is used for various festivals and also serves as a meeting point for young Akha men and women.

The Lahu Hill Tribe

The Lahu live up to their name, which means hunter, as they are skilled hunters and trappers. They also pride themselves on their skills in herbal medicine, and while they are independent and physically strong people, they value a simpler and entertainment-filled lifestyle. Lahu houses are also on stilts, with domestic farm animals roaming freely in the basement corral. Prepare to be awakened precisely at sunrise by the roosters! The Lahu are most easily identified by the colorful turbans and silver earrings the women wear.