Lisu Hill Tribe People

The Lisu Hill Tribe people are believed to have originated from Tibet. The Lisu in Thailand migrated from northern areas of Yunnan province of China in the late 1800's. They first arrived in the Chiang Mai area. There are approximately 20, 000 Lisu in Thailand.

Lisu women utilize more applique and brighter colors in their clothing than the other Hill Tribe groups. They wear a typically blue loose double breasted smock. The smock has appliqued strips of multi-colored cloth sewed around the sleeves, and neck. They wear either long baggy pants or short pants with leggings. Over the smock they wear a decorated apron.

The Lisu typically settle in areas that are not easily accessed by outsiders often near the tops of mountains. Their villages have a spirit house. Like the Akha, each house has a small shrine for the spirits and ancestors.

The Lisu are a very competitive people and strive to out do their neighbors in everything. They are also considered to be a handsome people which is not lost on themselves. The Lisu are also very adept business people. They consider themselves to be a higher status than their neighbors. In many aspects it seems like I might be describing the Germans of the Hill Tribe people!

The Lisu are, like the Akha, animists. Spirits are believed to be responsible for many problems and illnesses. Shamans, offerings, and animal sacrifices are used to maintain a healthy balance between humans, ancestors, good spirits, and bad spirits.

Lisu courting rituals are very discrete. It is taboo for a man to show interest in a girl in front of her parents or her older male relatives. The Lisu also refrain from having sex in another man's house. This is most likely a good idea in any culture especially if your partner is his wife or his daughter!

I have photographed many Lisu people and I can attest to their beauty. I have found them to be a very hospitable and gracious people. I look forward to visiting them once again.