태국 산악부족 아카족/AKA 자료(영문)

 

 

 

 

The Aka are called by the Thai "Ei-Ko" [called by themselves Aka] are the poorest ethnic group in Thailand and are well known to tourists for their extraordinary costumes and exotic appearance. There are approximately 20000 Aka living in Thailand.

The Aka originate from Tibet and Yunnan in Chinna. It is generally believed that the Aka originated in the Tibetan Highlands. Htin Taiyai Kamu  Over the years they left their homeland and migrated south to Yunnan, North Burma and Laos, and have only recently entered North Thailand, [in the last 150 years]. Newcomers from Burma are constantly arriving.

The Aka are historically linked with the ancient Lolo tribes that inhabit South Yunnan. The Aka belong to the Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan linguistic family.

The Aka are less open to change than many other hilltribes, proudly retaining their old customs.

Chiang Rai was the Aka first destination but today you can see them also in Chiang Mai, Lampang, Phrae, Tak and Kampeng Phet. There are about 50,000 Aka people in Thailand. The Aka are animists and ancestors worshippers.

The Aka generally prefer to live along mountain ridges at high altitudes of approximately 1,000 m. In the past, their settlements were limited mainly to the north bank of the Mae Kok river in Chiang Rai province, and they rarely moved south. In more recent times, as a result of population pressure, the Aka began to spread out of the Mae Kok basin in search of better land.

The Aka are settled today in less than 300 villages. The Aka houses are on low stilts, with a large porch leading into a square living area with a stove, usually at the back. The roof is steeply pitched.

The Aka village is entered through ceremonial gates, decorated with carvings of "human" life to indicate to the spirit world that beyond here only humans can pass. Outside the gates are wooden sculptures of copulating couples, and the gates may be decorated with a wide variety of "human" artifacts - weapons, tools, and nowadays cars and airplanes. To touch these carvings, or to show any lack of respect, is punishable by fines or the donation of animals for sacrifices. The gates are replaced every year

The Aka are customarily monogamous. In practice, however, there is no rule which prohibits an Aka man from having more than one wife. The Aka are shifting cultivators. They cultivate dry rice for consumption and grow corn, millet, peppers, beans, garlic, sesame and other varieties of vegetables as additional subsistence crops. Crop production is often inadequate to meet their needs.

 

 

Domestic animals, including fowl, pigs and water buffaloes are also raised by the Aka for special feasts and sacrifices. The Akha place special emphasis upon ancestor-worship and spirit offerings.

There is a giant swing in each village presided over by guardian spirits. The four day Swinging Festival, the most enjoyable ceremonial event, in which the headman, followed by the rest of the village, take turns using the swing. The festival is held during mid-August to mid September. The Aka celebrate their New Year in December for four days.

This tribe is easily recognized by the black caps covered with silver coins, worn by the women. The women's costume is very colorful.

This tribe is easily recognized by the black caps covered with silver coins, worn by the women. The women's costume is very colorful.

 

 

The man's costume of plain black pants and a lightly embroidered loose jacket. Aka women spin cotton into thread with a hand spindle, then weave it on a foot treadle loom. The cloth is dyed with indigo, then sewed into clothing for the family.

Many Aka villages still grow opium, generally not of high quality. Opium addiction, especially amongst the older men, is a serious problem. The King's Royal Project has contributed greatly to the alleviation of this problem.

Provided by :: Tourism Authority of Thailand