Akha Hilltribes Educational Village

Learning some dance steps of the Akha Hilltribe women.

The Akha people originated from Tibet and China and migrated south to Thailand when the Communists persecuted them. They live in mountainous regions and farm the land. They were one of the tribes that grew opium, but the Thai government has encouraged new crops and tourism as alternatives. Tony and I decided not to trek into the hilltribe villages because we felt uncomfortable wandering into their space like so many tourists now do.  Instead we opted for a village that was set up by a non profit community development association. The Akha people do live there (you'll see the inside of one home), but they control the whole thing and they receive the proceeds from the entrance fees.  

Weaving cotton.

Their homes are simple, dark inside and make our houses look like royal palaces.

The Kitchen

Sleeping quarters for the mother and children. The husband had a similar space next door.

A satellite dish, looking a little out of place next to the meager house we just looked at. Television is the one luxury they have in these modern times. If you look closely, you will see 2 fish being dried on a stick on the dish!Pork anyone????