The Akha tribe in Laos: Between tradition and modernity | DW Documentary

The Akha in Laos live almost untouched by modern civilization. They still adhere to their archaic customs. But they are on the verge of upheaval.

Cut off from the rest of the world, without a paved road, the village of Peryensang Mai has remained almost untouched by modern civilization to this day. Its inhabitants are from the Akha tribe, and they seem to live in a different time: Their language isn’t even written down; their everyday life is defined by the laws and rituals handed down from their ancestors such as animal sacrifices to ward off bad luck. This adherence to customs that are often quite brutal endows the Akha’s lives with stability and direction. The women of the village have a particularly busy life. Because the Akha are largely self-sufficient, their tasks range from agriculture to housework and making traditional clothing. This documentary tells the story of the Laovan family. Mother Yeapheun has always had to work hard to support her large family. Her husband is the village elder and ensures the Akha observe the strict laws and commandments. The couple and their eldest children cannot imagine life beyond the mountaintop, so the family is pinning its hopes on youngest son Kienglom, who has been going to school in a nearby town since he was eleven years old. Like many mountain tribes in Laos, the Akha are facing a difficult choice: between a move down into the valley, which would mean they would have electricity, running water and better medical care - but also abandoning their ancient rituals. The film takes the viewer on an emotional journey of discovery to a tribe torn between tradition and modernity and facing the need to reinvent itself in today's world.

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[selenadiaz]

"My mother in law is old and doesn't want to wear bright colors anymore. She doesn't want to outshine her daughter's in law." Bless the matriarch of that family...59 years old, 15 children, had to make all the daughter in laws outfits, do all the work etc. Nothing can outshine that woman...she's a diamond!

[fawziaabdurrahman]

These documentaries are so useful. Travel the world without leaving your house...and see how other human beings live.

[rhiannon]

“Because I had so many children, I look much older than my age.”

Sis, PREACH. We understand. 😭🤣

[ariefnugrohobinariffin]

I cry when i look at the mother. My mom just like her work so hard so that us, her children can eat n go to school. Mom i love u so much, n tq so much for ur sacrifice for all of us. May u happy there in heaven with our lord. N i miss u so much.

[ponsunan]

Short explanation
8 years ago my mom heard about the twins from The Akha village in the north of Laos, they said its not acceptable for their culture to have twins in the village and they have to kill them and exile the parents away from the village and all what belongs to them must be destroyed and eliminated
Due to my mom doesn’t have any daughters so she very wanted to have one. And the parents of the twins didn’t want to kill their kids though.so they came to the city and asked help to save their kids by willing to give them to someone Else . When my mom heard about that, we decided together to adopt the twins.
While my mon was on the way up to the north people in the village already did set up the killing ceremony. Police and government officers couldn’t stop them.
The twins could have been killed if my mom didn’t come on time. But she made it.
We are happy that we saved the twins and raising them. they have become our family members and now they are already 8 years old . They are pretty and charming girls. ❤️

[acgrant]

The man promised to take care of her and she ended up taking care of him and the whole family whilst he just took credit for all her hard work.

[gyanwaikhom]

The voice overs are just so extraaaa😂😂😂... Like the guy with the thickest and poshest accent is voicing the youngest kid 😂😂

[youniverse]

"Phiewking has plenty of time to relax. His wife has chores that keep her busy from dawn to dusk" Sums it up real good.

[undi]

Thank God that I'm Iban in Malaysia. For us having twin baby is a big blessing. And I was bless by God giving birth to twin daughters.

[chillingwithash]

I’m Laotian and I noticed they aren’t speaking lao or Thai. So I researched and found that The Akha are an indigenous hill tribe who live in small villages at higher elevations in the mountains of Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Yunnan Province in China. In Thailand, they are classified as one of the six hill tribes, a term used for all of the various tribal peoples who migrated from China and Tibet over the past few centuries and who now inhabit the dense forests on the borders between Thailand, Laos, and Burma.

[observer]

After watching DW’s documentaries I realised that how much I don’t know about our world.Wonderful work DW .The Background music is very beautiful.

[coachskilzz]

I came from this life and think the dad needs an ass kicking. The stories I hear from my parents is they worked together to provide for the family.

[vanessashimoni]

Poor woman looks older than her husband, must be all that hard work and having so many children.

[shikswaJesus]

Always a mother will remain to be one in a million....l love mothers❤💞

[sarina]

When iam down as a mother, I watch such documentaries just to thank lord for every comfort. How blessed and lucky we are in the west and anyone with basic needs at the finger steps. Life is hell tough for so many out there especially for women in some regions. 😢🙏🏼❤️

[izatrini]

After watching this I am sooo very greatful that I live in a modern world where women can be and do whatever they want.

[mondingsky]

Happy MOTHERS DAY to this incredible Women.!

[Chouzoua_Lee]

I am Hmong and I find the Akha People similar to us because of the design on their traditional clothings, their culture and traditions and religion and life style 💕 very similar but soo beautiful ❤

[rubie]

"if I won't have the biggest funeral, i won't rest in peace" 🙄 then don't. 🤧 The man somehow appeared narcissistic to me.

[nrnar]

Much respect to Mother Yeapheun, ... very hardworking and take her responsibility of taking care of her many children very seriously.