Sunday, August 16, 2009

Lahu or Musur

The Lahu are believed to have originated on the Tibetan Plateau and ethnologically related to the Lolo tribal groups in southern China, like the Lisu and the Akha. They have been migrating and moving over centuries in China, Burma, Laos and Thailand. In Thailand, they are found in 6 provinces, in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet and Nakhon Sawan. The Lahu in Thailand consist of many subgroups, e.g. Red Musur, Yellow Musur, Black Musur or Lahu Shele etc. They are all Tibeto-Burman speaking groups.
Lahu villages are usually located at altitude higher than 1,000 meters above sea level. The Lahu make their living out of shifting cultivation. Besides rice and maize, for some Lahu, opium poppy is their cash crop.
The Lahu are monogamous and single family is key social unit. Kinship ties are not as strict as to other tribes. In case of marriage, Lahu men are expected to stay in the family of his wife for a period of time to provide bride services. Most of Black Musur and Red Musur are Christians; others remain animists. The Lahu celebrate their New Year in January and March.

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