| Karen are one of the hill tribes living in Thailand | | | | The Karen women are noted for their skills in |
| and are found in the hilly terrains of Northern | | | | weaving. They wear clothes that are hand-woven |
| Thailand. This tribe also inhabits certain parts of | | | | on back strap looms. Each group has its own style |
| Myanmar. The Karen people moved to Thailand in | | | | of dressing. Unmarried girls wear loose white vee |
| the 17th century. There are two main sub-groups | | | | necked blouses while married women wear |
| in Karen, namely the Skaw and Pwo. There are | | | | blouses and skirts in bold colors, usually blue and |
| approximately 280,000 Karen living in the hills of | | | | red. The Karen men produce musical instruments |
| Thailand. | | | | and tobacco pipes and sell them in the lowland |
| The Karen live in bamboo houses raised on stilts | | | | towns. |
| and beneath which they raise domestic animals | | | | Most of Karen people are animists who believe in |
| like pigs, buffaloes and chickens. They practice | | | | supernatural elements. They perform rituals to |
| swidden agriculture and irrigate paddy fields. All the | | | | gods of land and water. They also believe that |
| family members of Karen live together under a | | | | spirits live in rocks, tree, and mountains. The |
| single roof. The parents with their unmarried as | | | | Karen try to live in harmony with nature and they |
| well as the married children may also live together. | | | | believe that the guardian spirits help them in |
| The village priest is given the highest authority to | | | | leading harmonious lives. |
| run the village along with the elders. | | | | |