The Hilltribes Region

Over 100 years ago, the Hilltribe peoples migrated south from China into what are now Burma, Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand. The six major tribes are the Karen (Kariang, Yang), the Hmong (Meo), the Yao (Mien), the Akha (Ekaw), the Lisu (Lisaw), and the Lahu (Mussur). Each tribe is distinct, with its own culture, religion, language, art, and dress. These agricultural tribes also produce textiles. Almost all of these are from cotton and silk, which are of native varieties, naturally grown, and hand cultivated. The craftspeople then use these fibers to create goods such as fabrics, clothes, blankets, and handbags, with a wide variety of naturally dyed colors. We work primarily with Karen villagers in the north of Thailand. This is our most recent area of work.