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Previously they were known as Kaw but now they prefer to be called as Akha. The
men usually shave clean their heads except for a small tuft of hairs at the
top. They wear dark blue trousers and jackets. The edges of the jackets are
trimmed with colourful knitted native patterns. The boys wear skullcaps but the
men wear dark blue headbands.
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The women tie their hair into a knot like the Shan women, part it in the middle
and let it hang down to cover both ears. On their heads they also wear
headdresses decorated with silver coins, feathers, coloured threads, beads and
seashells. The headdresses also reflect the person's wealth. The Akha female
dress is one of the mostexpensive native dresses. The Akha women wear a kind of
plain black skirt and a black jacket with native patterns. They also have a
kind of a Scottish sporran made of multi-coloured beads and seashells hanging
in front of the skirt.
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They believe in 6 kinds of Nats or spirits. Chil dren are named
according to the name of the father's clan or tribe. The administrative system
is based on tradition and customs. There are some books written Akha language
based on Roman alphabets.
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Some paddy is always kept inside a hollowed bamboo as a token of offering. A
4-day festival is held after the paddy harvest to celebrate the successful
harvest and everybody join in the celebration. Cultivation is the main source
of livelihood but many also engage in hunting and logging. Their musical
instruments are basically bamboo flutes, drums and gongs. The Akhas regard one
day every 13 days as an auspicious day.
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The Akhas also regard that if an animal give birth to only one litter it is
unlucky. However, in contrast they regard as unlucky if a woman gives birth to
twins. The Akha villages have animist signs or other markers at the entrance.
At the intended village site, an egg is thrown down to the ground and if it
shatters the site is regarded as an auspicious ground to settle and set up a
village.
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| Akha couple |
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| Akha male in traditional hat |
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