Ethnic Culture Award for Akha U.S. : government grant

Ethnic Culture Award for Akha

U.S. government grant

U.S. Consul General Susan Stevenson enjoys
joining the villagers in traditional Akha dances.


U.S. Consul General Susan Stevenson presented a symbolic cheque of US$ 77,928 to Jianhua Wang, the Regional Coordinator of the Mekong Akha Network for Peace and Sustainability (MAPS) under the Inter Mountain Peoples Education and Culture in Thailand Association (IMPEC) as part of the Ambassadors Cultural Preservation Fund.

Supoj Thaimyoj
in Doi Chang,
Mae Suay, Chiang Rai

In recognition of their effforts the U.S. government awarded a grant of 2.4 million baht or US$77,928 for the preservation of Akha culture as part of the U.S. Highlighted Ethnic Culture Awards under the aegis of the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation on September 1 in Chiang Rai.

U.S. Consul General Susan Stevenson, joined by U.S. Cultural Attache John Paul Schutte, represented U.S. Ambassador Eric G. John at the event that took place at Ban Doi Chang in Mae Suay District, Chiang Rai. Also attending the grant ceremony were Mr. Boonyoung Roengoon, District Officer of Mae Suay District, Thai government officials, Ban Doi Chang community leaders and over one hundred Akha hilltribe villagers.

Consul General Stevenson presented a symbolic cheque of US$ 77.928 to Mr. Jianhua Wang, the Regional Coordinator of the Mekong Akha Network for Peace and Sustainability (MAPS), under the Inter Mountain Peoples Education and Culture in Thailand Association (IMPECT).

The U.S. Consul and delegates were warmly welcomed at Ban Doi Chang, Moo 3, Tambon Wawee, by hundreds of Bam Doi Chang community members. Akha hill tribes villagers dressed up in dazzling costumes and performed for a traditional welcoming ceremony to welcome their guests to the village.

This was followed by a bamboo dance performed by students of Ban Dio Chang, or in the Akha language, and then village elders tied string to the wrists of their visitors as part of the welcome.

The newly appointed U.S. Consul General thanked the group for the welcome and expressed her pleasure at visiting Chiang Rai. Noting that the Akha culture in Chiang Rai stretched for more than 750 years, she announced that the fund “is expected to help support the collection and recording of Akha ceremonies, music, culture and more.”

It will also be used to produce curriculum and media tools for the study and teaching of the Akha language among Akha youth.
“The US is proud to be a part of this project to help the preservation of cultural and race diversities in Thailand”, she said, “And this project is not only to preserve culture and heritages of Akha people, but also the preservation of world heritage as well.”

After the ceremony, Consul General Stevenson joined in the festivities after Charnchai Pisailert, Ban Doi Chang village headman performed the traditional Akha Swing Ceremony.

Situated in the highlands 1,700 meters above sea level, the area used to be populated with opium fields, now replaced mainly by Arabica coffee and other cash crops from the Royally initiated project to provide hilltribes people with alternative means of income. Three main ethnic groups comprise the main residents of the area, Akhu, Lisu and Chinese from Yunnan. Ban Doi Chang is home to 800 households with more than 10,000 people, most of whom earn their living from agriculture and preserve their ancient traditions.

The Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation was established in 2001 by the U.S. Congress to support the efforts of nations in preserving their heritage and culture. More than 550 projects worldwide have received funds totallying more US$20 million.

Thailand has ten projects that have received funding, from the preservation of mural paintings at Wat Ban Koh in Lampang, Ban Rai and Tham Lod rock shelters in Mae Hong Son, and the community based preservation of traditional houses in Phrae are all projects that have received funding in the North.

Consul General Stevenson also called for interested cultural organizations in the region to submit proposals to the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation. More information can be found on the U.S. Embassy’s website. http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/

Villagers perform the bamboo dance for the visiting dignitaries.

U.S. Consul General Susan Stevenson joins in the fun by swinging
on the giant swing constructed for the Swing Ceremony.

Villagers from Ban Doi Chang perform traditional music and dances.

Credit: http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/current/features.shtml