Eco-Agricultural Chiang Mai Hill tribe village

Unveiling the Mysteries of the Long Neck Karen and Padaung Tribes in Chiang Mai 

As a tour agency in Chiang Mai, we provide private tours to the Hill Tribe Village to learn about the unique culture and traditions of the Karen and Padaung tribes. These tribes have resided in the region for centuries and have preserved their customs and beliefs despite the influence of modernization. The village is home to several permanent settlements where the tribes live and practice their traditional lifestyle. The government has gathered them in one place to offer tourists a chance to take photos and purchase their crafts, which also helps in promoting the region's tourism.

 

The Karen tribe is the largest ethnic minority in Northern Thailand and can be found in various regions. They live in villages of around 25 houses raised on stilts and follow a hierarchical system where the village priest runs the village along with the elders. The Karen people live in harmony with nature and practice an ecologically sound system of swidden agriculture, where they use a system of rotation over a large area of land and do not cut all the large trees down when they clear a plot.

The Karen are famous for their hand-woven cloth made on back-strap looms, with predominately red and white, blue, or brown vertical stripes. They also use beads for ornamentation and are known for their unique dress styles. Unmarried girls of the Skaw group wear plain white shifts, while those of the Pwo are more decorated. Men wear simple forms of the material in a sleeveless tunic, also known as northern Thai clothing.

The Padaung tribe is a sub-group of the Karen living in Kayah state of eastern Burma on the Thailand border. The Padaung women famously wear brass rings around their necks, which is believed to be a symbol of beauty and wealth. This neck ring adornment starts when the girls are five or six years old, and a woman generally has about twenty or more rings around her neck. They are also known for their crop cultivation of rice and animist beliefs in spirits.

The Karen-Padaung occupied central Burma before the Burmese arrived from the North and built civilizations based on their unique cultures. The Padaung escaped to Thailand in the mid to late 1900s as refugees of political turmoil and belong to the Karenni sub-group of the Karen People, which are still fighting for their independence in Burma. In Thailand, only a few families of Padaung have settled temporarily as refugees in Muang District of Mae Hong Son Province, near Ban Tha Ton in Chiang Rai Province, and a small group near Chiang Dao.

In conclusion, visiting the Eco-Hill Tribe Village in Chiang Mai provides a unique experience to learn and appreciate the culture and traditions of the Karen and Padaung tribes. It offers an opportunity to witness the beautiful handcrafted textiles, beautiful brass neck rings, and experience the peaceful lifestyle of the tribes. A visit to the village is not only educational but also an ethical way to support the tribes and their livelihood.

Chiang Mai Hill Tribes Village