MlaBri Hill Tribe Thailand

MlaBri People
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Mlabri Mother With Child On Her Lap

Mlabri Child Holding Grass

The MlaBri people are also known as Yellow Leaf people. They used to live deep in the jungles of Thailand and were rarely seen. Banana leaves were used as a roof on their shelters. When these leaves turned yellow a week or two later, they moved to a new place in the jungle to continue their hunter gatherer lifestyle. They do not like to be called spirits, but they like the name "Yellow Leaf People."

Mlabri man carrying banana leaves for the roof of his home

Unfortunately agriculture and logging have reduced the available habitat to the point that there is not enough jungle left to support the MlaBri way of life. They are now forced to work part of the year as slaves in the fields of other hill tribes in exchange for daily food and old clothes.

Some groups of MlaBri people are exploited by tourist companies that profit by taking tourists to see the MlaBri.

Mlabri Woman Sitting In Her Home

There are only about 300 MlaBri people remaining in the world. The Mlabri are dying from disease and improper pesticide use. Their cultural beliefs prevent the MlaBri from owning their own land. This young girl is destined for a life of slavery bound by a combination of her cultural beliefs and the changing world around her.

Mlabri mother smoking a pipe with her child in a field

About 160 of the MlaBri people have found their way to the village of Ban Boonyuen. There, they are provided with the education, knowledge and guidance necessary for them to eventually succeed on their own in today's environment.

Due to heavy deforestation they have found themselves without a home to live and hunt in. Consequently they have been at the mercy of many opportunists who not only destroy their life but also their language and culture.

Hammocks provide a generous income for the Mlabri people who produce them. Since their traditional nomadic life style is no longer an option it is imperative that these people have a livelihood that not only sustains their life but also their traditional culture and language.

I make no money selling these hammocks. You are effectively, buying directly from the hands of the Mlabri people. I am trying to help these needy people market their product. Please contact me if you have any questions.

mlabritribe@gmail.com

Please click on one of links below for current sale and auction items.

Shop for MlaBri Hammocks on eBay

www.kyoto.zaq.ne.jp/hammock/mlabri.html

www.haengematten-store.ch/

All proceeds go directly to the Mlabri people