Hill Tribes and Hmong Bags

alibaba.com/member/th117940220.html Hill Tribes of Northern Thailand Numbering approximately 600,000. the hill tribes consist of six main groups, most of who have migrated into the area in the past 150 years, originating in Yunnan, Northern Burma and even Tibet. Primitive, poor and often marginalized by Thais, the hill tribes prefer to live in the uplands undisturbed and are noted for their distinctive costumes. Tourism Dollar, and efforts by His Majesty’ Royal Project to provide them with agricultural cooperatives, has brought prosperity and out side influence to some villages.
	Karen: Among the more sophisticated of the tribes, the Karen mostly occupy a strip along the Salween River in Mae Hong Son province, with many more in the Karenni state inside Burma. They farm lowlands, practice crop rotation and are noted for basket weaving. Distinguished by their red of white cotton tunics.
	alibaba.com/member/th117940220.html Hmong:  The second largest group, most commonly found in Chiang Mai province, the Hmong benefit from integration through cooperatives. Fiercely independent, they helped fight communists in Laos on behalf of the CIA in the 70s. Distinguished by heavily embroidered costumes (women) and smart baggy trousers (men).
	Akha:  Perhaps the most down-trodden of the tribes, the Akha’s distinctive eyes hint at Tibetan origin. Mostly found in Chiang Rai province, Like the Karen, many are refugees from Burma. Noted for their oral ancestral history and Swing Festival. They can be found hawking at the night markets and are distinguished by their intricate headdress of coins, beads and shells.
	Lisu:  Considered the prettiest of the hilltribe women, the Lisu roam at the markets in Pai and Mae Hong Son. Originating from Tibet, they keep livestock and cultivate vegetables, living above 1000m. Their bright, multicolored hats and accessories are commonly sold at markets. Distinguished by bright purple and peach frocks with elaborate headgear.
	Lahu:  A small and impoverished hilltribe found along the Burmese border in the North, especially in Doi Angkhang. Known as Musor-“hunter” in Burmese – Lahu villages consist of bamboo huts with stilts on steep hillsides. Distinguished by black and red jackets (women) and bright green baggy pants (men).
	Yao:  Also known as the Mien, the Yao are the shyest of the tribes confined to villages in Chiang Rai and limited trekking routes. They have deep Chinese influences, with a written language based on Chinese. Fine silversmiths and embroiderers, the practice polygamy and are distinguished by re and black embroidered costumes and unique red fur boas’ around their necks.

The exquisite needle works by the Hmong hilltribe people in Northern Thailand owe their inspiration to their surrounding nature and the cubical shapes of things in their daily life which are reflected on their elaborate ethnic tribe costumes. Hmong fabric designer from Chiang Mai's Doi Pui, has developed the old Hmong fabrics into original and classic bags which are much sought after by Thai and foreign enthusiasts of hill tribe fabrics. You will observe an explosion of Hmong bags on sale either at the Sunday's Walking Street or other shopping spots around Chiang Mai, but the buyers mentioned that none of the bags is similar in qualities and designs. 
Their products "Handmade Bags", featuring ladies and men handbags suitable for young to mature ages, cosmetic bags, coin pouches, camera bags, mobile phone pockets, jewelry bags, eye glasses pockets, aprons, and mobile phone decorative rings and laptops. Prices range from 35 baht to over 2,000 baht a piece. Their production processes start first by cleaning the old fabrics, dying them, and then choosing which fabric should be created into what product that would match the original design. Hand woven cotton fabrics from the Chiang Mai's Chom Thong District are used in patching the old Hmong fabric pieces. The majority of their clients are from Japan, France, Italy, Spain, Australia, and Thais.



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   3/03/2011