In Southeast Asia, there are dozens of mountain-dwelling semi-nomadic peoples that are collectively known as hilltribes. These people live across the borders of five countries: Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and China, particularly Yunnan province. These peoples are collectively known by the name "hilltribes" as they have all subsisted in the mountainous jungle for generations. However, beyond their characteristic montagnard lifestyle, it is difficult (and incorrect) to lump these people under a general heading. These peoples represent a myriad of languages, cultures, styles of dress and belief systems.

This website is devoted to the tribal groups in Thailand, particularly the six largest groups: Akha, Hmong, Karen, Lahu, Lisu and Mien (Yao). Though the Virtual Hilltribe Museum concentrates on the lifestyle and culture of peoples living in Thailand, none of these tribes lives wholly within the borders of Thailand--indeed, the vast majority of tribal people living in Thailand have entered within the past century--therefore, in edifying cases, we look at the manifestation of their cultures in response to the political and social environments of other countries, as well.

Of the tribes dealt with in the Museum, only Mien have a traditional system of writing (based on Chinese characters), so the migration histories of these peoples is left to be derived from oral histories, linguistic data, Han Chinese manuscripts and guesswork. It is believed that all of the tribes, except the Karen, originated in Tibet and migrated over centuries via different paths to Yunnan, China, where the largest concentrations of most of the tribes remain today. The Karen are believed to have orginiated in Burma. Tribal migration into Thailand has been largely the result of flight from war and political oppression in China, Burma and Laos.

The map below shows the immigration routes for the six main tribes in Thailand.

Click for map enlargement