One of my favorite parts of adventuring is learning about the history and culture of a region. In every encounter between man and nature, there is a story to be told. And one of the most beautiful aspects of life is that those stories vary so much from place to place. In Thailand, there are hill tribe villages scattered across the mountains, open to hikers who want to learn just one more piece of the Thai story.
Such hikes can be challenging, with some involving over three hours of trekking across hilly, forested terrain in the heat and humidity. This is true for the hike to the Lahu hill tribe village near Chiang Mai. The trails are made by the local villagers to access their farmland and reach other nearby villages. These trails are primitive, often slippery, and take you through rugged terrain with several long, steep sections. Make no mistake. As you ascend the mountain, the forest falls away and you are rewarded with expansive views of the country. You and I both know that the view from the top is always worth the effort.
There are seven major hill tribes of Thailand.
These ethnic minority groups migrated from Myanmar, Laos, and China several hundred years ago. The term "hill tribe" refers to the fact that they settled in the highlands and hilly areas of Thailand. The people of these regions traditionally practiced subsistence agriculture, utilizing slash and burn farming methods to grow rice and crops in order to feed themselves and their families. Each group has its own unique culture, customs, and language.
The Lahu hill tribe is one of the most diverse of these groups.
As many as 60,000 people make up the tribe, which is broken down into five subgroups. Buddhism spans across these subgroups. Traditionally, Lahu people practiced polytheism until the 17th century when Buddhism became widespread. They are a strict, serious group of people who are governed by a strong sense of right and wrong, passed down from the elders. They are committed to having unity among tribal members, and work together for survival. This unity and interdependence has made them one of the most gender-equitable societies in the world.
Lahu people live in wooden houses built on stilts.
Friendly dogs roam from one building to another while chickens and roosters congregate beneath the houses. You'll want to remember this when you visit, because their choir will serenade you through the dusty bamboo floor at nearly all hours of the night. It wouldn't be the worst idea for you to bring a few ear plugs. Regardless, having the opportunity to experience this entirely different world will leave you feeling much more rejuvenated than any restful night's sleep back home.
Nothing tops off an afternoon of hiking quite like an evening of watching the sun set over the hills, with children running barefoot and free through the village.
As you watch women carry goods in woven baskets on their backs, you'll think of home and all the luxuries we deem a necessity in life. You'll lie down on a worn mattress on the floor of an open room that you share with the other guests, divided only by the mosquito nets hanging from above. The thatched walls and the metal roof won't keep out the chill in the night air. The cracks around the door won't keep out the bugs. And the bamboo floor certainly won't mute the sounds of the animals below. But you'll know the wealth of these people. The wealth of a community of individuals who can rely on each other, and who know that what is most important in life is the bond you share with those around you. Anything more is simply a distraction from the setting sun and all its beauty.
I had the privilege of visiting the Lahu hill tribe village through REI Adventures. I urge you to take great care in choosing a responsible touring company when traveling to any of the hill tribe villages. It is of crucial importance that we only support those that respect the region's people, economy, and environment. REI Adventures is one such company, and I highly recommend them for any of your travel needs! You'll have the time of your life and feel good about the places you visit and activities you take part in.
That's all I've got for you for now, my friends! Happy travels.
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