Tribal Museum, Chiang Mai

Established in 1965 and located in the verdant Rama IX Park, the Tribal Museum is dedicated to the culture and practices of Thailand's hill tribes. The purpose of the museum is to serve as a resource for visitors interested in the aspects that make the customs of these tribes unique.

There are 970,000 hill tribes living in diverse geographical zones. Many of them are migratory and with the exception of a few tribes who live in valleys, many tribal languages do not have scripts. They believe in animism and their ceremonies, languages and customs have been handed down for centuries by word of mouth.

Collections at the Tribal Museum include costumes, tools, ceremonial objects, utensils, jewelry and musical instruments used by the major hill tribes like the Hmong, Karen, Akha, Lahu and Mien. The life-sized mannequins are dressed in their traditional costumes and a slide show is screened to help visitors get a better understanding of the lifestyles of these traditional hill people. Collections are arranged according to specific aspects of tribal life including fishing, agriculture, housing, religious beliefs, and musical instruments. Group tours are conducted on weekends and require advanced booking.

Why You Should Visit:
Much of the hill tribe way of life is eroding fast in modern times, making a visit to this museum all the more valuable for insights into the very different culture of the ethnic minorities in the hills.