The Karen, who call themselves Pwakin-nyaw and who are known as Kariang to other ethnic groups, are one of the largest hilltribes in Southeast Asia with a total population of about three million spread throughout Burma, Laos and Thailand. There are an estimated 320,000 Karen in Thailand alone, which makes up half of the total hilltribe population in Thai territory.

Traditionally the Karen live at lower elevations than the other hilltribes and although they still practice slash and burn, unlike many hilltribes they live in permanent villages and have been aggressive in developing environmentally sustainable terraced rice fields. These factors have allowed the Karen to become much more integrated members of Thai society. In Mae Yao they constitute 15% of the population, with 80% having already achieved Thai nationality, allowing them to buy land and to have access to free education, luxuries other hilltribes do not yet have.

While approximately 90% of the Karen in Mae Yao have converted to Christianity, statistics which reflect figures in much of Thailand, the size of the Karen population and their unification in their religion allow them to adapt while still retaining their cultural identity.

To view more examples of Karen handicrafts, please go to www.ebannok.com. For more information about Karen people, click here.