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Called Musur in Thailand, the Lahu originated in Tibet and southwest China and migrated to
Thailand, through northern Burma, as well as to Laos and Burma and Viet-Nam. The Lahu belong to the Tibeto-Burman branch
of the SinoTibetan linguistic family.
There are about 80,000 Lahu scattered in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong
Son, Tak and Kampeng Phet. Most of their settlements are concentrated close to the Burmese border.
The Lahu are divided into several ethnic subgroups and only these six are to be found in Thailand:
□ Lahu Nyi or Musur Daeng [Red Lahu]
□ Lahu Na or Musur Dam [Black Lahu]
□ Lahu Shehleh or Musur Na Muey
□ Lahu Laba
□ Lahu Phu
□ Lahu Shi
These main subgroups are further subdivided into smaller groups.
The Lahu are animists and ancestors worshippers. Some are Christians or Buddhists. About 30% of the Lahu have been
converted to christianity and have abandoned their way of life. Many have abandoned their traditional way of life as a
result. Animist Lahu believe in one spirit with overall control all the others, and they are rather predatory in search
of a marriage partner, but divorce and adultery are common.
The Lahu language has almost become a "lingua franca", spoken throughout the other hill tribes, since, amongst the Lahu,
hiring out labour to other hill tribes has become common.
Lahu villages are at high altitudes at about 1,000 metres. The Red Lahu
are the only tribe to build a central Animist temple, surrounded by banners and streamers of white and yellow flags. If
there is a source of water near the village, they build a series of bamboo pipes to bring water into the village.
Houses are built on high stilts with walls of bamboo or wooden planks, thatched with grass. A ladder leads to an open
central living area, with a store room to one side and living quarters to the other. There is one large bedroom,
partitioned off as necessary according to family size. The main room has a central fireplace.
Since "Lahu", the name of their tribe, means "hunter", the Lahu obviously pride themselves on their skills in hunting
and trapping. They are also famous for their knowledge of herbal medicine.
The Lahu are physically larger than the members of the other tribes, but rather than their greater stature leading to
aggressiveness. They are independent people and love entertainment and the easy life, and have skills in hunting and
trapping.
The Black Lahu are the most reserved, but wear the most distinctive costumes. Lahu women are skilled in weaving cloth,
both on back-strap and foot-treadle looms, producing delicate patchwork trims, and unusual embroidery work. The Black
Lahu women wear the most distinctive costumes within this tribe. They wear a black cloak with diagonal cream stripes.
The top of the sleeve is decorated in bold colours of red and yellow. Red Lahu women wear black trousers with white
edging and vivid sleeves of broad red and blue stripes. All the other Lahu tribes have supplemented their traditional
costumes by sarong and Thai shirt. Men and women together make some of the finest baskets to be found anywhere in
Thailand. Lahu men produce excellent crossbows, musical instruments, and other items made of wood, bamboo and rattan.
Lahu society is monogamous. The nuclear family forms the most common domestic unit and plays the most important part in
the social and political organization of the village. When a Lahu man marries a woman from another village, he is
expected to live with his parents-in-law for a certain time to provide bride-service. In such cases, the household
becomes extended but usually for not more than 5 - 6 years. Kinship ties are not particularly important in the Lahu
society.
The Lahu base their economy primarily on swidden agriculture. They clear fields in the forest by slash-and-burn. A plot
of land is used for as long as the yields are good, and after the soil becomes exhausted, the owner looks for other
places to exploit.
Today, the Lahu staple crops are dry rice and corn. Many varieties of
cash crops are also grown e.g. melons, peppers, beans, yams, millet, and vegetables. In some villages, opium remains an
important cash crop. Animal husbandry is also important, and every household raises pigs, fowl, cattle and horses for
various purposes such as for feasts, and ceremonial offerings and for transport.
The Lahu are theistic animists ruled by one god named "Geusha". Like their highland neighbours, they also worship their
ancestors. In Burma, the Lahu were considerably influenced by Buddhism and Christianity. A large number become Christian
during and immediately following British rule. Most Lahu in Thailand follow their old beliefs. Religious practitioners
remain prominent in Lahu society. The New Year ceremony (Kho Cha Lor), the most important event, is held for five days
between January and March to thank their god "Geusha".
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