- AKHA EXPERIENCE INFORMATION -

 

Information about the Akha in Laos in our voluntourism project area in the far north of Laos. A project supporting former opium growing communities through responsible tourism.

 

Our volunteer activity tours and services take place in various locations and villages which are monitored by the UNODC project in north Laos.

 

The Akha
In the last 200 years the Kor or Iko (preferably called the Akha) have relocated to Laos , China , Vietnam , Thailand and Burma . They came from Kuaichao and Yunnan (modern day China ) to escape war and to cultivate the land. This traditional hill tribe has a population of just over 90,000 in Laos alone; they count over 15 different sub groups. The Akha have no written language, therefore communication becomes highly important. Akha men can usually recite their genealogies 60 generations back! This ability is what has helped link clans together over five nations.

 

The Akha usually live in remote valleys near mountain tops, around 1000 meters above sea level or higher. They mainly grow rice, maize and cotton. Some sub groups are known to grow indigo, vegetables, peanuts, sesame, and soybean. During the month of December the new cotton is spun into thread for the women to make crafts. Jewellery for the traditional headdresses, clothing, and neck-rings are (or rather used to be) made by the Akha men. Unfortunately traditional handicraft-making is steadily decreasing, as particularly Akha women have to work extremely hard and long hours which lets them prefer to buy cheap imports (plastic and aluminium goods) rather than making handicrafts by themselves. Increasingly, handicraft-making is seen as a necessity for poor families (the vast majority of Akha are extremely poor) who cannot afford to buy the imports.

Handicraft-making for the tourist market therefore helps to achieve two aims: income is generated for poor families, and the skills of traditional handicraft-making are revived.

 

Everything from the way the Akha cultivate their fields, hunt animals, treat the sick and how they relate to outsiders is determined by the specific Akha way of life. Grounded in animism, the Akha's belief in the spirit world and the souls of their ancestors finds expression in their many traditions and ceremonies. There is a strong respect for human and natural resources . Some of the traditional rules include that items in the village gate area are not aloud to be touched, as village gates symbolize the spiritual and physical limits between the world of humans, their souls and their spirits.

 

Every year there are several major celebrations like the 'swing festival' during the months of August and September. New Year’s celebrations in January and February. Traditionally dressed Akha women look stunning from their elaborate headdress to the dyed leggings. The basic outfit of an Akha woman consists of a head dress, a jacket worn over a halter top, a short skirt with a decorated sash and leggings. Each sub group has their own style of dressing. The Akha Loma women for instance wear head scarves, beaded hair ornaments, bead necklaces, metal choker, apron, skirt and leggings. The Akha Pouly Nyai women wear hand-woven, indigo-dyed cotton jackets, shirts, pleated skirts, belt, leggings, bags, necklaces and head dresses. The Akha men wear different styles of jackets, hand woven indigo-dyed cotton shirts, trousers, bags and some wear black/red turbans wound so tight that they can be taken off just like a normal hat.

Honglerk Village, Muang Khoua District, belongs to the Akha Loma Subgroup. Here, the Akha jewellery offered for sale in this shop is being produced.

 

MR. LOSA, HONGLERK VILLAGE

Selling jewelry for staying opium-free

 

Volunteer in Laos and support the locals in Laos

 

You want to learn more about the Akha

Follow our Akha links

Akha.org

Hani Akha

Pacross