Tribal Museum

[[File:Akha Dress.JPG|thumb|Akha tribeswoman wearing traditional dress, with baskets and palm-thatched house in Northern Thailand]] [[File:Lisu.jpg|thumb|Lisu women in the hills of Northern Thailand]] [[File:Hmong New Year Girls.JPG|thumb|Hmong women celebrating New Year]] [[File:Thailand Hill Tribes.jpg|thumb|'Long-necked Karen' woman with child]] [[File:Akha Funeral3.JPG|thumb|Akha exorcist at a village funeral]] The '''Tribal Museum''' is an ethnographic museum in [[Chiang Mai]], northern [[Thailand]], showing the life of Thailand's minority hill tribes. == Exhibits == The Tribal Museum highlights the history and culture of the [[Hill tribe (Thailand)|mountain tribes]] of north Thailand, including the [[Akha]], [[Karen people|Karen]], Khamu, [[Lahu]], [[Lau]], [[Lisu]], [[Hmong people|Hmong]], [[Mien]] and Thin peoples. The museum has three components: * Indoor exhibits of tribal clothes, jewellery and other artefacts; * A video presentation of tribal life in northern Thailand * A large garden with exhibits of tribal huts, reconstructed in an attractive waterside setting. In addition, the Tribal Museum hosts a monthly tribal market, selling handmade clothes, craft goods and food, from a different hill tribe each month. == Reception == ''The Rough Guide'' notes that the Tribal Museum ''"enjoys a superb location behind the artfully landscaped Ratchamangkla Park. Overlooking a tree-lined lake, the very pretty and peaceful setting makes a visit worthwhile, as does the opportunity to learn something about the various hill tribes before heading off on a trek."''. The ''"useful wall chart"'' explains life in a village around the year, ''"giving a month-by-month picture of the agricultural activities, ceremonies and festivals of the tribes featured"'', while the photographs and models of village houses give ''"a good idea of the different styles of architecture, and a display of hill-tribe instruments accompanied by taped music"''. ''[[The New York Times]]'' quotes Frommer on the Tribal Museum: ''"Formerly part of Chiang Mai University's Tribal Research Institute, this small exhibit showcases the cultures and daily lives of the hill-tribe people of Thailand's north. It is recommended as a good introductory course for those who plan to visit many northern villages."'' ''Thailand's World'' recommends the Tribal Museum, writing ''"A visit to the Tribal Museum is strongly recommended as an introduction to the cultures and practices of the current hill tribes of northern Thailand. This museum serves as an extensive resource centre for the tribal cultures, and the visitor will certainly leave with a better understanding of each hill tribe. It is unique and compact, and together with the nearby National Museum of Chiang Mai, can be viewed in half a day."'' == External links == * [http://tribalmuseumchiangmai.com/ Homepage of the Tribal Museum] {{th icon}} * [http://www.tourchiangmai.com/index.php?lay=show&ac=article&Id=571434&Ntype=1 TourChiangMai.com | Tribal Museum] * [http://www.bangkokpost.com/travel/local-destinations/museums/listing/chiang-mai-tribal-museum/13223 Bangkok Post: Travel] * [http://www.thailandsworld.com/index.cfm?p=339 Thailand's World] * [http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/asia/thailand/chiang-mai/33455/the-tribal-museum/attraction-detail.html The New York Times - Travel] * [http://www.roughguides.com/travel/asia/thailand/the-north/chiang-mai/the-tribal-museum.aspx Rough Guides.com] * [http://www.addictedtotravel.com/travel-guides/attractions/chiang-mai--tribal-museum_thailand Addicted to Travel.com] {{coord missing|Thailand}}