The Aka are called by the Thai "Ei-Ko" [called by
themselves Aka] are the poorest ethnic group in Thailand and are well known to tourists for their extraordinary costumes
and exotic appearance. There are approximately 20000 Aka living in Thailand.
The Aka originate from Tibet and Yunnan in Chinna. It is generally believed that the Aka originated in the Tibetan
Highlands. Over the years they left their homeland and migrated south to Yunnan, North Burma and Laos, and have only
recently entered North Thailand, [in the last 150 years]. Newcomers from Burma are constantly arriving.
The Aka are historically linked with the ancient Lolo tribes that inhabit South Yunnan. The Aka belong to the
Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan linguistic family.
The Aka are less open to change than many other hilltribes, proudly retaining their old customs.
Chiang Rai was the Aka first destination but today you can see them also in Chiang Mai, Lampang, Phrae, Tak and Kampeng
Phet. There are about 50,000 Aka people in Thailand. The Aka are animists and ancestors worshippers.
The Aka generally prefer to live along mountain ridges at high altitudes of approximately 1,000 m. In the past, their
settlements were limited mainly to the north bank of the Mae Kok river in Chiang Rai province, and they rarely moved
south. In more recent times, as a result of population pressure, the Aka began to spread out of the Mae Kok basin in
search of better land.
The Aka are settled today in less than 300 villages. The Aka houses are on low stilts, with a large porch leading into a
square living area with a stove, usually at the back. The roof is steeply pitched.
The Aka village is entered through ceremonial gates, decorated with carvings of "human" life to indicate to the spirit
world that beyond here only humans can pass. Outside the gates are wooden sculptures of copulating couples, and the
gates may be decorated with a wide variety of "human" artifacts - weapons, tools, and nowadays cars and airplanes. To
touch these carvings, or to show any lack of respect, is punishable by fines or the donation of animals for sacrifices.
The gates are replaced every year
The Aka are customarily monogamous. In practice, however, there is no rule
which prohibits an Aka man from having more than one wife. The Aka are shifting cultivators. They cultivate dry rice for
consumption and grow corn, millet, peppers, beans, garlic, sesame and other varieties of vegetables as additional
subsistence crops. Crop production is often inadequate to meet their needs.
Domestic animals, including fowl, pigs and water buffaloes are also raised by the Aka for special feasts and sacrifices.
The Akha place special emphasis upon ancestor-worship and spirit offerings.
In order to supplement their income, many Aka are now selling handicrafts, employing the traditional skills used in
making their own clothing and cultural items. Aka men and women produce various decorative items of bamboo and seeds.
The men make crossbows, musical instruments, a variety of baskets, and other items of wood, bamboo and rattan.
There is a giant swing in each village presided over by guardian spirits. The four day Swinging Festival, the most
enjoyable ceremonial event, in which the headman, followed by the rest of the village, take turns using the swing. The
festival is held during mid-August to mid September. The Aka celebrate their New Year in December for four days.
This tribe is easily recognized by the black caps covered with silver coins, worn by the women. The women's costume is
very colorful.
The headgear, which is rarely removed, is a conical wedge of white beads interspersed with silver coins and topped with
plumes of red taffeta, dressed with a loose fitting black jacket with heavily embroidered cuffs and lapels.
The man's costume of plain black pants and a lightly embroidered loose
jacket. Aka women spin cotton into thread with a hand spindle, then weave it on a foot treadle loom. The cloth is dyed
with indigo, then sewed into clothing for the family.
Many Aka villages still grow opium, generally not of high quality. Opium addiction, especially amongst the older men, is
a serious problem. The King's Royal Project has contributed greatly to the alleviation of this problem.
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