Words: Khumoetsile Seamogano
Images: Girl Gone Authentic fieldnotes,
and archival material including: Akha People:
Tim Daper, Karen People: Jorgen Bisch, 1962,
Lahu People: Eric Lafforgue
Akha People
The 20th century saw the Akha people migrate from Yunnan to South East Asia, with the majority settling in Burma. With the Burmese disputes, they then headed to the Golden Triangle. The Akha traditional costume consists of homespun cotton, hand dyed in natural indigo. What really sets them apart is their flamboyant headdress.
The Mien (Yao) People
Originally from China, the Mien people had migrated to Laos, where disputes later forced them to flee to the Thai/Laos border. They recently received refugee (cringe at the term) status from the Thai government while the third largest group of Mien people relocated to the U.S upon government sponsorship.
The Yao women traditionally wear fine blue clothing dyed from indigo, a trademark red scarf and embroidered turbans.
The Karen People
Perhaps the oldest group of people to have reached the Golden Triangle are the Karen people. They arrived in this region in the 17th century, and have been known to be the pioneers of the rice terrains. Living in harmony with nature is a skill that they have mastered.
In Thailand, the Karen people are a part of the sub ethic group known as the Palaung. The other sub group is known as the Padaung – these are the ‘long neck’ people, who only started migrating to Thailand only about 15 years ago.
The Kayan (Padaung) Women
The Kayan women adorn themselves with brass neck rings which in time, give an illusion of a head hovering over an elongated golden neck – a beauty trademark. The women start wearing neck rings from as early as 2 years old, with a ring or two added each year. By the time they are in their 20’s, the rings can weigh as much as 25 pounds.
Contrary to popular believe, the women are not forced to wear neck rings, it is indeed a fascinating, futuristic sight seeing Kayan women with neck rings wear modern clothes.
The Hmong People
The Hmong people are a sub group of the Miao people of China. After the great migration in the 18th century, quite a fair number had found a new home in Laos. However, from 1975, or post the Laos disputes, most settled in the northern Thai mountains. The vibrant Hmong colors are quite impossible to miss.
The Lisu People
The Lisu people are a nomadic people of Tibetan descent. Traditionally slash and burn farmers, they reside in scattered homesteads across the hills of the Golden Triangle. The women play with textiles, layering beautiful colors and patchwork to make perhaps, the most vibrant outfits in the region.
The Lahu People
Initially from Tibet, the Lahu people migrated to Yunna, China and towards the mid 1800’s they moved further south to the hills of Thailand. The Golden Triangle is home to both the Black and Yellow Lahu, with the Yellow Lahu making up at-least 75% of the group.
