TODAY

The Akha tribes derived from the ethnic Sino-Thai tribe called the Khe-myaunk who migrated into Myanmar. The Akha were originally living in China, but moved in search of green pastures. They then spread out and now live around Kyaington, and on the border between Laos and Thailand. The Akha never mix with the other tribes and establish their own villages. They still wear their traditional costume even though the other tribes only wear their traditional clothes for ceremonial occasions.

There are about 200,000 Akha in Myanmar, 200,000 in Laos and around 50,000 in Thailand. The Hani, who live in Yunnan Province, have a similar language to the Akha so it is believed that they stem from the Hani.

In the past, the Ahka tribes worshipped the Nats (Guardian Angles), but now they follow Buddhism and some, particu-larly in Khaing Ton and Tach-ileik, are Christians. The Ahka used to give offerings to the Nats, especially during Dece-mber when the newly cultivated crops are starting to sprout, at harvest time, and two to three months after harvest time.

The Akha’s main industry is agriculture, mainly from hillside cultivation. The main crops grown are hillside rice, cotton, corn, sesame, red pepper, ground nuts, peas, vegetables, potatoes and tobacco. The Akha construct terraces to grow the rice in paddy fields, with the water running through canals and bamboo tubes. To prevent the water running down the hillsides, small embankments are constructed. The land is ploughed by using water buffalo and rakes.