| Akha is a tribal group that originated from | | | | The Akha live in homes made from bamboo. |
| southwest China. Besides north Thailand, this tribe | | | | They use cogon grass to build roofs of their |
| is also found in China, Laos and Burma. Today | | | | homes. They built their homes on stilts. Akha |
| there are approximately 20,000 Akha living in | | | | villages are generally large in size comprising of |
| northern Thailand in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai in | | | | thirty houses. Their houses are built on hill tops, as |
| the higher altitudes. | | | | an attempt to avoid the diseases and outbreaks. |
| There are four main groups in this tribe namely | | | | The most important leader in an Akha village is |
| the U Law, Law Mi, Pa Mi, and A Keu. All four | | | | the Spiritual Leader or the Shaman. Akha are |
| groups speak the Akha language besides their | | | | animists and they live their lives according to their |
| own dialect. The dialect spoken by the U Law, the | | | | beliefs. If a member of the tribe becomes a |
| Law Mi and the Pa Mi is very similar; however, the | | | | non-believer, he / she usually leaves the village for |
| A Keu speak a very distinctive dialect. | | | | good. |