Mien Tribe

Nowadays the Yao have spread to the mountains of Laos, Vietnam and Thailand, speaking three different languages: Bunu, Lakkia and Mien; with Mien being the only written language using Chinese characters. There a various different reasons for this migration and the time span of it reaches over several centuries. The biggest part of the in Thailand living Yao migrated there in the consequences of the Vietnam conflict in the 20^th century. Mien, which means as much as “individual” or “creature”, is also the self-given name of the in Thailand living Yao. A population of about 60.000 Mien is currently living in the northern mountains of Thailand concentrating itself in the regions of Nan, Phayao and Chiang Rai. The Mien tribe organizes itself in separated villages with up to 25 households. One household consists of at least three generations leading to very big families with the oldest member as head of the family. A Mien family indentifies itself over their membership to a certain clan and attaches great importance to their linage. There are twelve clans in total said to date back to the very beginning of the tribe. Originally the Mien practiced a form of Taoism mixed with ancestral worship which is also a reason why they attach such great importance to family, clan membership and lineage, since their ancestors were supposed to protect them of evil spirits. These days many converted either to Buddhism or Christianity, while Buddhism is still often mixed with the worshipping of the ancestors.

The Mien tribe traditionally lives from cultivation of corn, rice and vegetables.  In this the whole family is involved and this means especially for the women a lot of work, since it is their duty to also do the chores at home, provide the food and sew and embroider the clothes of the whole family. This embroidery is the specialty of the Mien women with a unique cross-stitching technique. Passed down by hundreds of years and generations it is a very long and old tradition.