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The ethnic group often referred to as Iko call themselves "Akha". The Akha people are among the numerous mountain tribes that live in the highlands of Northwestern Laos. They originate from the Tibetan Plateau and, thus, belong to the Tibeto-Burmese linguistic family.
The ethnic group of the Akha is not very widely known. Most communities live in remote areas and their existence is largely based on subsistence economy. They live in autarchy with only limited outside contacts. In Laos, the silver coins of the Indochina Piastres represent a more common currency than the Lao Kip until today.
The Akha live according to a complex system of rules and traditional beliefs. For example: they consider that every move, activity and sometimes thought should be measured and balanced according to desire, need, the particular day, the spirit's disposition, the culture's calendar, the ancestors' opinions and the position regarding the village's gate.
This traditional civic code with special laws on behavior rules the Akha's everyday life and is called “Akhazan".
IKO EUPA AT BAN LIXIXO (PHONGSALI PROVINCE)
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Traditional mountainous habitat between 700 and 1700 m above sea level
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Main production system consists of growing dry rice (on burned areas), poppy growing and opium production, hunting and gathering and raising of small livestock
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A complex animist religion based on spirits, souls and different beliefs, according to the ethnic group
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No writing system, but a strongly performed oral transmission
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Clothes and ornaments are very important and they are produced with great care
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A back basket with a forehead and shoulder straps
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Solid houses are built directly on the ground
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Due to their belief in the very powerful spirit of water, which is feared, hygiene is very low.|
The Akha's history is made up of a long North-South migration from Tibet through Myanmar and Yunnan to Northern Thailand, Northwestern Laos and North Vietnam.
Their arrival is not confirmed but the eldest say that it lies more than 55 generations back. Their migration from Tibet to Laos took place in the 16. and 17. century. It is said that they escaped from political rebellions and Chinese robbers stealing the livestock and plundering villages.
The Akha do not have a writing system, nevertheless, their oral transmission is among the liveliest of all of Laos' ethnic groups.
The Akha ethnic groups are made up of several ethnic sub-groups and other associated groups with clans and lineages. The different ethnic sub-groups within the main Akha group do not mix amongst villages and the languages differ considerably amongst them.
Among the many ethnic sub -groups living in Laos are the Iko Mutchi, the Iko Eupa and the Iko Loma.
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IKO MUTCHI |
IKO EUPA |
IKO LOMA |
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The "Akhazan" code rules their daily lives and is transmitted orally from one generation to another to ensure that their traditions continue; in this way, everyday behaviors, attitudes and activities are conditioned by Akha beliefs and complex codes
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A great respect for human beings and natural resources, all of them under the guard of a protective spirit
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The importance of the village gate, spiritual and physical boundaries between the world of humans, their souls and spirits and the outside world
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Young Akha are given some sexual freedom and intimacy before marriage (special premarital meeting house which allows for the personal choice of the partner)
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The birth of twins or malformed children or the death of someone outside the village's boundaries are considered shameful because they are thought to be wanted by evil spirits
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Akha women are very skillful in spinning cotton (they do so while walking) and in making clothes. Their very decorative textiles combine weaving techniques, embroidery, sewing, plaiting and the application of beads, feathers etc. and silver coins
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Massages are a typical feminine activity that benefit to husbands and guests
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In an Akha family, the organization is patrilineal. The father has total authority until his death; it is then transmitted to the eldest son. Akha men often choose to have many wives, however 4 spouses seem to be the maximum.
Traditionally, Akha villages are situated at a high altitude and their locations are chosen for the qualities of the surrounding areas. The territory must be forested, favorable to rice, corn and poppy growing and there must also be grassy pastures for cows. An agreement with the spirit of the land is necessary before the settlement of the village can take place.
An Akha week is 12 days long; for every activity of the village, there are favorable and unfavorable days. There is also a selection according to the day of the week, the month and the period of the year.
Akha people believe in ancestors' spirits that guide humans and they believe that spirits dominate every resource. Every upper spirit is helped by intermediate spirits to which only shamans and very religious people can make contact. Lower spirits are accessible to all people.
Spirits manage the attitudes and behaviors of the Akha; they are like inspectors of all daily life. According to the "Akhazan" code, every offence must be punished to calm down the angry spirit and the punishment must benefit the whole village.
The Akha's complex rules have survived their long migration history and their beliefs are still dominating their way of life. The Akha's traditions represent the key feature of this particular ethnic group – they deserve to be deeply respected, especially in the light of the changes and development that the Akha experience and increasingly depend on.
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