About the Hmong Hilltribe

The Hmong sometimes called 'Meo' are the second largest hilltribe group making up approximately 17% of the total hilltribe population. They are one of the most spread out groups, scattered throughout several provinces in Southern China, Northern Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar. There are 3 types of Hmong in Thailand - The Blue Hmong (also known as the Black Meo, Flowery Meo or Striped Meo) - The White Hmong (Hmong Daw) - The Gua M'ba Hmong (which literally means Armband Hmong, and who are subgroup of the White Hmong mostly living in refugee camps now) The Hmong tend to locate in higher altitudes (1,000m above sea level).  Of all the tribes the Hmong were the most heavily engaged in Opium growing, but since this was outlawed in 1958 they mainly grow rice and corn now. A lot of their beliefs and practices are Chinese for example ancestral worship, and many elders read and write Chinese. As the Hemp plant grew heavily in areas which they resided in, over the years they learnt how to make material from the plant, and so now a lot of their traditional costume is hemp. They will decorate the hemp using Batik methods and embroidering it which they are highly skilled and famed for.   Video clip of Traditional Hmong Hilltribe Funeral - Part 1 Video clip of Traditional Hmong Funeral - Part 2