Introduce : Ja Lae village

“Ja Lae” is the village of Lahu Laba tribe, who migrated from Tibet to Thailand in 1970. They stayed in Doi Thung for only two years before they moved on to Doi Bor which is in Ampher Maung, Chang Rai province. It was people of 13 families that migrated under the leadership of Mr. Ja Lae. Because of Mr. Ja Lae's leadership at this time, he got the village named after him. There was another Ja Lae village with 62 families which was located in Huay Mae Sai Waterfall area moo.11, Tambon Mae Yaw, Muang district, Chiang Rai. But in 1999 Forestry Department issued a policy. This policy stated that all the people in Huay Mae Sai Waterfall have to move out of the area into the area belonging to Industrial Forest Organization. When moved to this area, the group of 62 families joined up with those who migrated from Tibet in 1970. In Ja Lae village, they have impermanent farming and stair shape paddy farming which are used for making rice. Impermanent farming is changing the area for cultivation every year. The surrounding of the village is suitable for trekking. This again attracts many tourists who either do a 1 day or 2 days trekking tour. On the 2 day tour, they sleep over in the village. From 1986 to 1997, there were many tourists trekking there. Lahu Ja Lae life is like the origin life of Lahu Laba. They have kept their original belief, culture and festival which they are protecting with high concern. All this knowledge is carefully passed on to the next generation. The causes of migration from Huay Mae Sai waterfall • The government assigned the village to be in tourism zone. • The village also felt that the old village was far away from civilization. • The children should have an opportunity to get education like others. • In conclusion, there are advantage and disadventage of migration. Advantages are: • Children will have the opportunity of education. • Transportation is more convenient. Disadvantage: • Not enough land to earn their living. The management in tourism is one way out instead of being under control by outside trend which causing changing. The teenagers may forget their own culture and be crazy in modern life. In contrast, they choose to be the controllers who determine the way of life in the community by their own in order to remain the pride and selfhood. As mention earlier, they pass on their knowledge, culture and tradition to the young, so they will bring precious culture on the next generation. At the same time, the teengers is participating in creation their own direction, such as makimg themselves an opportunity in business. http://lahu.hilltribe.org/english/