LISU HILL TRIBES

Villages of this colorful ethnic group are to be found in the mountains of China, Myanmar (Burma) and northern Thailand. There are approximately 21000 Lisus living in Thailand's northern provinces of Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Sorn and Chiang Rai.

They originate in eastern Tibet. Their house are built on the ground, with dirt floors and bamboo walls around a central ridge. For many generations the main means of livelihood for many of the Lisu people has been the cultivation of the opium poppy. Some of these people have given up poppy growing, and are now seeking to supplement their income through the sale of skillfully produced crafts.

The Lisu make their clothing from gaily-colored cloth stitched into outfits trimmed with row upon row of varicolored strips of cloth. The women wear brightly colored costumes, consisting of a blue or green parts- colored knee length tunic with a wide black belt and blue or green pants. Sleeves shoulders and cuffs are heavily embroidered with narrow, horizontal bands of blue, red and yellow. The more affluent wear massive amounts of hand-crafted silver ornaments for festive occasions.

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