Lisu or Lisaw

The Lisu are believed to have originated in southern China, and, as already mentioned, ethnologically linked with the Lolo, Akha and Lahu. The first Lisu came to settle down in Thailand 60-70 years ago, and that was in Ban Doi Chang in the Community of Wawi in the District of Mae Sruai in the Province of Chiang Rai. There are 2 main subgroups of the Lisu: Chinese-Lisu or Han-Lisu and real Lisu. Chinese-Lisu can be recognized by their family names. Anyway, all Lisu groups speak dialects of Tibeto-Burman language family.

The Lisu settlements have a special character or form; they look like a fortress, located at altitude of more than 1,000 meters above sea level. Like others, the Lisu are shifting cultivators, growing rice and maize for consumption and opium poppy as cash crop. It is to be noticed here that only few Lisu are opium addicted. The Lisu are also known as master of languages for, besides cultivation, they travel among all tribal groups and do business with them.