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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[@selenadiaz2665]

"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!

[@gillianmellstrom7812]

Selena Diaz She’s a diamond. Her husband and everyoneother male in the village are demonds.

[@redshoefive3234]

Love that

[@mosijahi3096]

@@gillianmellstrom7812 I guess she sees the women doing all the work and value is in who does the most work.

[@Mella_yt]

Agreed

[@ghiesmith6070]

@@gillianmellstrom7812 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼LT🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@fawziaabdurrahman2251]

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

[@nadjibhabib9426]

There is no better time to Live than this. Grateful for it 🙏

[@SimpleBelieverKJV]

My sentiments exactly!! :)

[@caribmaroon]

So true. Interesting viewing. Also allow you to reflect on your life where you live.

[@talkswithtara7109]

I love them

[@bethroesch2156]

I appreciate docs like this for that exact reason. Know what I notice most often?? No matter the country, govts, races, we all want a lot of the same things- a decent place to live, food, education and medical care, opportunities for our children to do better than we did. We love our families. We have so much more in common than we realize.

[@rhiannon0717]

“Because I had so many children, I look much older than my age.” Sis, PREACH. We understand. 😭🤣

[@sozbdulrhmanli3300]

💔 i feel bad for her

[@lornadoonefash2237]

@@sozbdulrhmanli3300 it’s okay, that’s the norm for them

[@thenativist6330]

How about some personal responsibility. Why keep having children the man can’t take care of them?

[@frnkjones40]

Having children doesn't necessarily make you look old. I've seen women with more than six children that look like a college student and while women with one child looks like a catcher's mitt. Sometimes it's genetics, sometimes it's a brutal pounding from a bad relationship.

[@frnkjones40]

@@thenativist6330 That's more like a question for an American

[@ariefnugrohobinariffin6249]

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.

[@ponsunan3808]

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. ❤️

[@jeanetteh.9240]

Saving those girls was a wonderful thing to do. May your family be blessed. 🙏

[@staring_videos]

Thank you for saving those twins. Much love and respect to your family. I'm glad not all twins ended up dying of ritual infanticide.

[@domingodeanda233]

So awesome, thanks for saving their lives.

[@priscanyambura5199]

@@domingodeanda233 May God bless your family and moreso your mum for the compassionate heart 👃

[@healtheworldforabetterplac7574]

OMG I wanna see them in instagram. Such a wonderful story

[@acgrant5417]

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.

[@Pgasmkim]

And now he look much younger than her lol

[@barbarasmith6005]

Yeah, it looks like the men sit around on their butts a lot except when doing fun things like hunting, riding a motorcycle, and going to the city.

[@missk8264]

aC GrAnT Yep 😩

[@deannedflrocks5337]

That old man is so conceited, even about his death.

[@claver8336]

She was scamed.

[@sarina5352]

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. 😢🙏🏼❤️

[@Allgood33]

Schadenfreude

[@thornyback]

@@Allgood33 You can count your own blessings without feeling any kind of joy over other people's misfortunes. Don't assume the rest of us are like you.

[@Allgood33]

@@thornyback I made no mentioned of any blessedness on my part. May I also add that I am quite disdainful about people counting their blessings on the misfortune of others. Hence the comment of "schadenfreude." It was a response to “one” comment. I didn't assume for the rest, you did, Thornback.

[@lorenzoblum868]

There are sad and happy people everywhere. On remote places as well as in glamorous places...

[@lorenzoblum868]

Big Brother surely appreciate your vision...

[@shikswaJesus5451]

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

[@undi5507]

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.

[@sozbdulrhmanli3300]

For Kurdish families to if we had Twins, there would be a big party coz its a blessing from God gave you two children

[@coachskilzz5982]

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.

[@gregnixon1296]

Hopefully the sons will not choose to be as unproductive as their father.

[@gyanwaikhom8527]

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

[@sechabamotloli4156]

I also thought that was quite funny lol!

[@V.E.R.O.]

I was looking for this comment!

[@cch9680]

It's not a posh accent at all, it's a very rough Northern English voice. Would have fitted the father better!

[@ty77770]

these men are living the best life because their wives do all the hard work.

[@kolingkri2526]

It's common with many Tribal people of Arunachal Pradesh.

[@oaklandmade007]

It's a bullshit tradition that some lazy azz men created because they didn't want to lift a finger💯 you can't me my man and are able bodied, but I do everything and you do nothing....hell naw....

[@izatrini439]

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

[@izatrini439]

@Dingle Berry I have no culture and proud!

[@earthrider700]

Where's that?

[@izatrini439]

@@earthrider700 It's a hidden country and a big secret!

[@hallooos7585]

@@izatrini439 I hope you know that everyone in the world follow and practice cultures that some don’t even know in the modern world there are different cultures in the rural and urban areas and you claiming that you aren’t following any culture is BS because everyone has culture in them, like your daily routine is a culture because you follow it

[@youniverse6841]

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

[@observer1330]

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.

[@vanessashimoni6548]

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

[@dhw14]

That is what I thought!

[@user-lo6jr9tx4h]

I was about to say that too... Pity on them really

[@HANGTVAG]

🧡💛💚❤💘👌👍🤝🤝🤝

[@soniag4516]

Who wouldn't if they had to work from dawn to dusk and pop out babies and raise a family while husband can sit and enjoy life.

[@PAULLONDEN]

Another one of those advanced cultures where women are treated like slaves .....

[@chillingwithash3286]

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.

[@ZiaQueen505]

They told u all that in the beginning of the video so IDK why u had to research it if they said exactly that

[@davidjohnzenocollins]

@@ZiaQueen505 She added a lot more detail by her research that wasn't mentioned at the beginning of the film.

[@ZiaQueen505]

@@davidjohnzenocollins every thing she said was in the beginning the language they speak where their from what kind of people they are where they live. Every thing. But ok

[@astralyummycandy888]

The youngest son did speak Thai " sue lot" means buy car/ vehicle.

[@hondacivic8122]

yummycandy because he lives in a nearby town right

[@rubie5777]

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

[@hrahselmuanchhana8359]

Yeah, right..

[@TheTaxburden]

His wife will no doubt do all the work for it.

[@lilyparis5149]

Don't forget "he use to work for the government " lol

[@hazel1190s]

I felt that too. He wanted to seem better and bigger on camera.

[@oaklandmade007]

Right! I was like....WTF😒

[@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 ❤

[@dannnsss8034]

Let me guess... You're male?

[@podona6089]

It's cos yall are from the same root. Ikah and Hmong are originally from an ancient Korean kingdom, which is why you share a similar culture. A lot of traditions found in both cultures are similar to a Korean ancient kingdom called Goguryeo, which I think Chinese call Gaoguri. I always wondered why these two ethnicities shared similar traditions and cultures with Korea, but recent studies show that they are genetically similar too. I knew their grammar is similar cos the object comes before verb, which is unusual in other languages, but same as Korean words order. Korean history books record that the ancient Kingdom's ppl were forced to move to a certain part of China after they were taken over by Dang dynasty. There should be more studies conducted on this topic, cos it's quite interesting to see such similarities between them in terms of language, cultures, etc Even you guys call Chiwoo as your forefather, koreans know him as the king of one of ancient Korean Kingdoms that fought against a Chinese emperor. And I heard that Ikah Tribe has their old story pass down from generation to generation that explains where their ancestors are originally from. They say they are originally from the North part where it snows heavily. That's exactly where Gaoguryeo was. That country's territory includes nowaday Harbin, above North Korwa where a winter festival is held every year.

[@yunaher8233]

@@podona6089 Wow, I am amazed with your information. Thank you so much for sharing!!❤

[@podona6089]

@yunaher8233 Plus, I recently took a DNA test, and the results show my mom's side carries the gene similar to Hmong's. As you all know, genetics don't lie or cannot be fabricated, unlike history books. I'm full Korean, born and raised in Korea. The DNA test conducted by one of the most credible organizations 23andMe shows that I'm 99.9 percent Korean. As far as I know, my family tree book says my families have lived in Korea for over 500 years cos I'm biologically related to King Sae Jong (also proven by genetics test) After I got my results back, which says my mom's side mitochondria or chromosome is often found in Hmong's, I realized once again Hmongs are definitely korean descendants from that Korean ancient Kingdom I mentioned above, although I was already pretty certain about them being Korean descent.

[@mjq901]

@@podona6089 South Korea's joke。 I used to be amazed at the absurdity Koreans displayed, but now I'm used to it.

[@chanphi25]

We all have that one grandpa in the locality who brags from sunrise till sunset about his past life no one knows about and does absolutely nothing to help the family

[@thenativist6330]

I don’t.

[@keelyevans7692]

Only by not heading his words and supervision; a teacher with great knowledge is a gift. My grandpa didn't speak too much but he was always there to supervise it was his duty as he saw it, like a lifeguard I supposed

[@RomaInvicta202]

@@huutruong167 and that stops him from working how?

[@TheTaxburden]

He keeps an eye on things. That takes a lot of time and effort.

[@marilynwillett804]

What kind of idiotic statement is that, NO you do not speak for everyone, my grandfather was a hard worker, he wouldn't have taken a dime for free if you dared offer to him.

[@nrnar]

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

[@vaselineagiolax3162]

while their men are the laziest

[@jxstified7558]

When she said her age was 59 I was shocked because Asian people tend to look wayy younger than their age but then she explained she had 15 children and thats why she looks older I was like "ah that makes sense", these people are so hardworking its insane to me.

[@adanphu4325]

Very good and peaceful documentary DW 🐁 You should make more documentaries about the animals and things so that they will be treated better!

[@jennifermcdonald5432]

Good grief, the women work their hearts out, while the men just sit and watch. Why? Surely it can’t always have been like that. They literally do nothing!

[@annv.silorio6427]

I find it lazy,they could shre the work and they refuse to change because men might work harder than women.🙄

[@electricslider1091]

@@annv.silorio6427 He didnt even get a piece of wood

[@annv.silorio6427]

@@electricslider1091 true!and look he is dressed wll.but girls are carrying woods and do a lot of works.🙄🙄

[@tangojuli209]

its interesting--the coddling and coveting male children and letting them off the hook like little decorative gods. It appears to be widespread in parts of rural asia like Nepal, india etc.

[@genkiferal7178]

Tracy Chapman has a song "A Woman's Work is Never Done" that describes this. Even in many American homes, a man has a 40 hour work week - and maybe an hour or two a week of yard work - but, the wife and even her daughter must constantly be cooking, cleaning, and playing hostess or babysitter.

[@ririemarilyn]

I have mad respect for that elder women. 15 children and still doing heavy work at 59?! Im 33 year old guy and has a 5 year old daughter, she alone took half of my energy. We are so caught up with living in the modern standard, till we forget whats 'needs' really are in life.

[@lilianflower3017]

sobering cat A sobering thought. Western countries don’t know how to eat, live and work. I wish I could be her. Slowed down by calories,poison,cement tv, pollution, artificial noise and lights. Confined space w/o greenery animals and laughter of children playing. Allowed to have sex anytime has taken the thrill away. Maybe some of us can go live with Bigfoot or near them. Make a new village. W/O infanticide due to multiple births or blood sacrifices. ⁉️⁉️⁉️ 🚻🚼🚺🚹♿️🚮 ♾🔁🔀🎭🔂🔄🐾🔃👁‍🗨

[@mseatac]

Bro, I was thinking the same thing.

[@yelenaangeleski3354]

Her stoicism is admirable, but I feel profoundly sorry for her. She was lured into marriage by a much older, manipulative, very selfish and very lazy man in a world in which she could never leave him once she found out by experience what life with him would really be like.

[@caribmaroon]

Admirably strong women, not buckling under the strain, resilient to the T.

[@Picasso.theDOG]

@@yelenaangeleski3354 Sadly I don't think her life would of been much different had she married any other man from the village...

[@KF-cx8bm]

An total joy to watch, this is the kind of content youtube was made for, I would never otherwise get to see the world with all its divercity, richness and wonder

[@zakk7930]

I started the documentary thinking “how amazing and how warm these people are “ and then towards the end my viewpoint completely changed! How do you justify killing innocent children?!? And then punishing the parents for it?! I’ve never heard anything like it!

[@gaslitworldf.melissab2897]

That is only one aspect of the culture, which goes to superstition. We may not sacrifice rwins, but we allow our children to spend time alone and predators catch, rape and murder them. Is that a flaw within our culture-hat we can't even protect our children?

[@sharonpersley9245]

Cause its their belief system. Their way of life. Not yours to judge, just to accept and learn.

[@swordysan]

@@sharonpersley9245 No one is obliged to accept barbaric ways of life.

[@priyankaulak5914]

I am a twin watching this makes me really sad. So many innocent twin babies were killed due to their tradition. Hope it changes ❤️

[@Leea209]

Twin are such blessings. I always dreamed of having twin. When I got married I prayed everyday to have twin, but sadly I didn’t. I had two girls a year apart and I dressed them alike as twin until they were teenagers. I couldn’t dress them anymore because they won’t let me. lol... if I was living there, omg I would adopt all the twins!

[@SL33P-WALK3R]

Imagine being the parents, having to already kill the 2 precious babies but then loose there homes and everything in it. On top of it all be outcasts and shunned from you'r village! Who'd care about all that after having to do the unthinkable I guess huh?..wild stuff. Sparta killed off all the non healthy babies.

[@Marieljolie8213]

Im in tears and hurting so bad I am the mother of 2set of twins and out of every 5 people 3 have twins on my family.

[@AmrtAayaan]

Agreed, did you feel sad about those innocent animals and birds too who are being killed as well? In the video and out in the real world too, as long as humans have no compassion for animals there won't be any peace in this f'ed up world.

[@thelikomagallery5080]

It's really sad but the killing of babies happens in the west all the time but somehow it's more acceptable

[@mondingsky1]

Happy MOTHERS DAY to this incredible Women.!

[@caribmaroon]

Aren't they marvelous! What strong and intelligent women. They just need more of a fair treatment. Able to build structures, constantly working every single day. Such resilience!

[@hobiebabe4824]

We are lucky enough salute to this women ❤️❤️

[@eufemiadomingo6818]

No

[@IX-fc4po]

they somehow give me very noble vibes. I watched the video till the end and left it after with much respect

[@meenawadchuey8992]

When seeing all the children, especially baby i am in tears. The mother have to work all time. The men are too lazy

[@merlem9448]

Are these men not ashamed

[@sozbdulrhmanli3300]

@@merlem9448 no 🤧🤢

[@backyardfarming1297]

Well at least the youngest son is really determined to change his life.

[@stelun56]

I went here in 2003 and returned in 2007 to witness huge changes. I can't imagine there's anything left nowadays apart from tourism

[@jodyross6185]

beautiful documentary, I feel priveleged to meet the woman who work from dawn to dusk.. bless them all..

[@ngbb6335]

The father sound narcissist.He keep saying" I've done so much" Yet in whole video. He just sat and bossing ppl around.He looks younger than his wife ,who is 15 years younger than him.She has done so much! Not you!

[@wanyanadaphine5870]

😂😂😂😂True

[@CLAWZGALAW]

Totally!! 🤣

[@rusrs2252]

You can take away the men and the system will collapse, the woman married the older men for security and stability. If she was great she wouldn’t have married anyone.

[@e.crabtree4313]

Most men are cheap, lazy and have a sense of entitlement. The majority of them live off the backs and sweat of women and mooch off their children.

[@danusesobichova7768]

Lazy bastards, all men there.

[@chrispusthiaine3735]

If the old man's wife fought in the war maybe they would have won.

[@brendanmorin9935]

Period

[@barbarasmith6005]

Weren't the Laotians fighting on the American side? Why did they fight at all?

[@roslyndaniel2687]

@@barbarasmith6005 my dear you need to study the war in Vietnam, they won the senseless war, the American and the french lost the war, period.

[@barbarasmith6005]

@@roslyndaniel2687 The Vietnam War was lost by the Americans. You are mistaken. Where do learn history from? Faux News? Liberty University?

[@roslyndaniel2687]

@@barbarasmith6005 read my posting and yours one more time, then reply to my post again.

[@violetar.corpus174]

Congratulations for your hard-work...DW. May your tribe increase.

[@channarosenblatt8197]

Yes, Violeta, that would be the tribe of Germany. "DW" stands for "Deutsche Welle" ["German Wave"], a name formed because radio waves are basic for radio transmission. It belongs to the German government :).

[@reynaldobabatuan1039]

It's a very informative documentary film. THANK YOU SO MUCH, Ulrike Bremer Sir! Keep up the good work. Stay safe always there. God bless!

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you! We're glad you liked the documentary. Subscribe to our channel for the latest uploads.

[@fxdelusions77]

Simply amazing. You never really understand how much life differs, until you spread your wings and move away.

[@gypsy8669]

The old man is so full of himself, blowing his own trumpet... shot down 6 planes, would have been a government official... yeah??? who would you have called to do the work there, your wife?

[@florablueeu6898]

Gypsy hahahahah

[@iantru9929]

Its the culture. Men like to show off. that's also what a human being is. People that haven't really learn class. This is call classless. He mention he wants the biggest funeral. Thats what u do for kings and queens, celebrity,president,any people with power or influence.

[@gurneetd21]

And killed a poor baby chick :(

[@carmenrivera5534]

Lol

[@jeremylinah8078]

Ignorance twina areadouble potion from god these are soway back kkkkk

[@sunshinepaia]

What a nice documentary, thank you for sharing. The Akha tribe's way of living kind of mirrors the Hmong people. Very cool.

[@vuongthuytrang8703]

Thanks for this beautifull documentary.

[@koolar1528]

Woman are always very strong in every culture. Without woman men can not survive

[@kaleem4559]

A woman was made for a man 😉

[@koolar1528]

@@kaleem4559 no they are Not Made for Men. They are Made for this planet to make humans survive. Strong indepedent Men knows how to treate woman. ;)

[@kaleem4559]

@@koolar1528 don't need to be so defensive, I didn't mean it like that, god saw Adam was lonely what was done? That's what I meant

[@samarjitkhundongbam8544]

Absolutely right

[@kevinmartyn1617]

Men would have hair down to the ground too.ha

[@SiouxieSioux]

The young sons voice over is hilarious. The Older English cockney accent sounds mismatched for this young guy😂

[@Amr_Elkholy]

boris johnson's voice 😂

[@missk8264]

Lol I was thinking the same 🤣😂

[@penparnsailarm7094]

They speak so softly 😊

[@R.U.1.2.]

Yeah, that was the ODDEST inappropriate choice of a voice-over, ever.

[@x-sag3272]

😂😂😂

[@marvingrass8]

Very well done! Thank you

[@alejandrorodrigorodrigo3789]

amazing documentary... thanks so much for sharing... masterpiece...we learn so much from one another 😊

[@isabaldeh]

The sleeping arrangements though! How are they making babies almost every 6 months...😂😂😂

[@kbengson9163]

Meeting in the rice fields or in down the mountain or sumt'n.haha

[@Maytember]

@@kbengson9163 very true. My family shares a village with these Akha people and that’s how they do it. Mien, Akha, and Hmong people 😊

[@stizo3066]

@@kbengson9163 🤭

[@stizo3066]

@@Maytember 😁

[@cosmicwisdom999]

I was scrolling looking for this comment. I was thinking the same! How do they make babies then? Out in the forest?

[@jennysayaseng4521]

I’m Laotian and I’ve never heard of such thing!! we have twins in our family, we don’t kill them nor think it’s a sin!it’s a blessing to be able have children whether it’s one child or twins they are a blessing!

[@jimiplayscobo5877]

My daughters are twins. Everyone who I've told that I have twins said you are so lucky. I knew I was blessed the first second I seen them :-) Peace

[@thenativist6330]

You look mean.

[@jennysayaseng4521]

@@thenativist6330 🤷🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️

[@BitterBetty76]

@@thenativist6330 you sound like a dolt. 🙄

[@mrbadass8907]

you are being manipulated by the laos media.

[@flowertsab9545]

Their way of life is very similar to the Hmong people in Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand. From clothes, tradition, work life, and culture. I wouldn’t be surprise if the Akha tribe is somehow related to my Hmong people. An interesting documentary, thanks for sharing.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@carolinesotomayor5307]

I love learning from different cultures. It's amazing and beautiful. They live a simple life with respect for each other and do what they were taught to survive. It's beautiful ❤️

[@besteos]

Right. And killing twins. Strange definition of beautiful. Some cultures need to die out and this is one of them.

[@PutUrCansUpSPTVWantsU]

@@besteos I was just commenting how it's so sad that they don't have room for science in their culture...as that would be the explanation for their twin dillema...ignorance breeds ignorance...it's lovely to see them living a simple life with such respect for the land and so forth, but yes, indeed they need to be educated as to why twins happen...and lose that 'demon' thinking mindset...it's just simple science...and sad that such horrifying rituals are passed along...by no fault of their own...but it's time for change indeed.

[@besteos]

@@PutUrCansUpSPTVWantsU I understand what you mean, but ignorance is an excuse for things that don't go as far as that. That is not a culture that will accept science easily. The only ray of hope in this was the anti fever pill for the sick kid. You don't need school and science to know it's bad. It's part of the human nature to know what's moral. We, as a society get tired of the hardships of capitalism and romanticize every so called simple culture. No, I'm sorry, there is nothing to respect here: a patriarchal culture that "doesn't know better" than to kill twins. Let's not sugarcoat things.

[@fangfangzhou37]

I think it's terrible life. Especially about the terribly culture.,eg Kill twins and the women's decorate who must wear them fall asleep. And the women work so hard for surviing the whole family.

[@jacquietremain5743]

It might lok beautiful but those women r virtually slaves. No thankyou. Very very hard life for them.

[@alecboley9238]

i usually enjoy DW uploads but this one was especially good. humanity is so beautiful, everyday is worth living when i get to be a part of this. thanks everyone, keep it up.

[@jmaymaylon3343]

Imagine waking up on a crisp bright morning every single day and breathing in fresh air

[@demran17]

you mean air that stinks like animal feces?

[@jmaymaylon3343]

@@demran17 even better 😏

[@shineisle2263]

The world is a wonderful place, with different life stories from place to place.. 🙏🌹❤️🇱🇰

[@MYLOVEOFIRELAND2303]

Amazing & very interesting to watch & to enjoy! It's always wonderful to immerse oneself into learning about varying global regions & cultures. Thanks for sharing & my best wishes to these amazing, interesting & beautiful people.

[@ranjittyagi9354]

Are you a Kalash? And now live abroad? Thank you from NW India.

[@Dean_Gamiing]

Why does it look like everything the old man saying seems BS 😂

[@user-ze9jj5kj8s]

hella accurate ::😂😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Vedo729ify]

Lol cause it is. I was looking at him with a side eye like shiiiid you know you lying

[@blessedbythebest1003]

He’s a show off. Just his personality especially being recorded and heard.

[@jackbeck4]

😁😁😁😁

[@jondog9]

The father is an egotistical braggart with the maturity of a 10 year old. If they want to live in that squalor, they certainly can. Just don't pass this off as being some kind of a virtuous lifestyle.

[@sookwilson1077]

😂

[@cherylmedeiros6287]

Right! He says he should have the biggest funeral and he worked the hardest shooting down airplanes in the war. He also should've been a high government official if he didn't go back to the village. Then he would have to Work. In the village all he had to do was make babies and probably have his sons watch them while his wife who is 59 looks 80. She looks way older than him for a man 12 years older than her. Wonder what happens if you only have sons early on in the marriage. Wonder if the men help at all.

[@jeremylinah8078]

Very cruel tithe bafalo

[@caribmaroon]

@@cherylmedeiros6287 Shot down which planes, etc.? He's talk a lot of codswallop!!

[@priya-jeevithaaram9045]

very inspiring documentary ....thanks for your efforts !!

[@DWDocumentary]

Hi @Priya-Jeevitha Aram, thank you too for watching and commenting!

[@hagipilo5017]

Spending my quarentine visiting laos cambodia and burma on youtube!. thankfully i was able to really visit there before the pendamic started. incredible places! hopefully one day i can visit this village..from what i understand its called Muang Sing

[@angelobugini6771]

The village above the clouds is a remarkable documentary! I truly did appreciate it so much. Thanks a lot for sharing! Keep it up!

[@milika3673]

I have watching these in lockdown due to covid makes me feel like I'm traveling whilst being stuck in my house.

[@WeekndPhotographers]

amazing work, enjoy it a lot 😍

[@dulcehajjar5826]

GREAT DOCUMENTARY ! LIFE IS ABOUT DIVERSITY “ 👏👏 THANKS 👏❤️🇺🇸

[@victorpham4467]

Thank you DW Documentary for the special documentary.

[@asaflevif]

They don't sleep together as a couple but they somehow manage to have a kid every year! Awesome!

[@wanjiru50]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@shebabwari782]

Every year!😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@kayoualorkyl]

Making love in forest duh lol

[@cherryripe1539]

IVF😂

[@Buonjiboy]

Rather admirable lifestyle, they're very self sufficient, something families of Developed places can say little of where consumerism is the themed lifestyle. I admire their way of life. Although they should ease some duties for women, they do a lot.

[@simplelife7332]

Not until you experience it ,

[@jodyross6185]

Best back ground music!! well done on fading it out when people are talking..

[@mscris503]

The married men all look young and refreshed while the young married women look old and tired, there skin is hard looking, seems like it’s very unfair because once again men rule.

[@beautyofcountryakhadoi3552]

Yes!! You are right, Akha women have to work harder than men that’s why most Akha mum look older than their husband. I’m Akha thai living in Thailand and In this time Akha in Thailand everything getting change not too bad like that because new gen are not accept the old culture like before. 😁😊 So sorry about my bad English🙏😅

[@lurlinemalcolm1958]

Sad though but not in our world

[@marieniebres4133]

I don’t lake the traditional it’s not fear 😡

[@TerryLestrange]

@@beautyofcountryakhadoi3552 I hope the culture can exist. Just that the men work more and women less would be a great solution I guess. I wish all best to your people! It's unique to live with your family like that and around nature. Something that most people don't have and forget these days.

[@beautyofcountryakhadoi3552]

@@TerryLestrange thank you so much for your wishing for our Akha people 🙏🙏🙏 as I have told you guys, Akha people in Thailand we are much better than Akha people in this video (we are Akha but different type with Akha people in this video , everything’s different but we can still understand language each other ) because we changed a lot from the old culture. Akha in Thailand we are really miss and want to see real life style of Akha like that because very hard to see Akha life like that in Thailand all changed and still keep changing every time . #so sorry for my bad English 🙏😅

[@geodex9]

If there’s one thing you can say about Phiewking, it’s that he worked for the government!

[@AceKnorr]

And how he wants his funeral to be that extra special ,😂😂😂

[@oaklandmade007]

He probably dug latrines, talking about he was a general and won the war my himself😒

[@praszu]

This traditional hair dress with a 24/7 headlamp looks fantastic! Tradition meets modern technology. It looks a bit like one of those cyber-goth costumes. But the older lady has the best metal works on hers. Truly amazing!

[@jasminecomoda2195]

I.love watching this kind of documentary ❤ and the youngest son is determined to change his village life I wish he can go to university and fulfill his dreams he is handsome and cute

[@going2sleep]

My favorite type of documentary. How people live in other countries. I found women working and lazy men taking care of children very unusual and oppressive.

[@kerokero_furogu]

What is oppressive about a matriarchy?

[@Hollylivengood]

@@kerokero_furogu well, it isn't amatriarchy. It's a patriarchy, and the men do nothing and the women do all the work. Because the men are too lazy to be anything but biological sperm downers. Probably explains Vietnam.

[@MyOuchies]

Sounds like we need to go go over there and colonize them, oh waow, that sounds like what happened here 400ish years ago in northeast US, where native women seem to do all the hard work while men were lazy.

[@web-angel]

@going2sleep so you think taking care of kids is "lazy work"?

[@atlguera564]

IlIll lll nothing you said even made any sense.

[@wpariah]

What an awesome channel, bringing glimpses of life from all over the world. Thank you DW.

[@shannonmartin8817]

I like this documentary it is very informative thumbs up 👍

[@Benewahkayyak]

God give me patience with this husband! He’s actually looking far younger than his wife who is 12 years younger than him. What a life for his wife!

[@luzcruz2919]

😞😳i will never 'complain about my 'way of life again.💪🙏

[@TerryLestrange]

Do they look unhappy? To me they don't. If you were born like this you were also fine with it. We are just spoiled with luxury. They live more with nature and together with their families. I don't consider that a bad thing. Just that the women need to do most of the work I find total bullshit but it's their culture and I respect that. It's their way.

[@olegivanov7236]

@@TerryLestrange so you respecting bull shet

[@anaisjohnson1880]

Ok im like they chillin and i be complaining about not getting chick fil a when i have a house full of Food..👀👀

[@deebeedeebeedeebee5129]

Rural life happy life 😍

[@angeleyes75783]

The thing that amazes me is those that comment saying how the culture is wrong. In western culture we are spoiled and have technology that does most for us. We expect the men to work and women to tend to the small kids. Why is our culture right and theirs not. It is how it is over there. Do not shame learn and appreciate the difference

[@marcobranco526]

Damn, the old man needs to slow down on bragging.

[@smode983]

I find it so incredibly fascinating that in today's Amazon/Apple war-torn world that these pockets of these old cultures still exist mostly unchanged. Still crafting their entire lives by hand and hard work. Still living by old world traditions. Absolutely fascinating.

[@zirlianamatthew4598]

❤Thank you for Discovery

[@masterkinglee9031]

The man of the house definitely ain’t these men!

[@uriahpagoyo]

Amazing documentary!!! Amazing family! Wish I could see more of them ❤️

[@user-ly5bc4xd2s]

فيديو جميل شكراجزيلا لكم والله يحفظكم ويحميكم ويرعاكم حياة بسيطة سعيدة شعب سعيد مكافح كل التقدير والاحترام والله يحفظكم ويحميكم ويرعاكم جميعا تحياتنا لكم من فلسطين

[@carolcchuma8981]

The place is really beautiful✨

[@phoenix-dk1me]

It amazes me the laziness of men in these types of cultures around the world smh

[@WapajeaWalksOnWater]

Didn't the South try and leave America over wanting to hold humans against their will for free labor, that they could have done for themselves, but were too trifling and lazy to do. More Americans died in the Civil War than in Vietnam, all because Southern Americans wanted a free ride. Laziness will allow Evil Spirits to Possess You.

[@syd_1876]

if you’re american then you have no place to speak about men being lazy 😅

[@tinaclark4658]

Really? I was shocked that these men just stay home and watch the kids, and are sent out to search for new rice land. In alot of the other documentaries I've watched men do all the hunting and farming and building. I found it verry interesting that this villages women do all the work and the men watch the kids.

[@electricslider1091]

He would work or would not eat

[@electricslider1091]

@@syd_1876 Our American men works and brings food to the table

[@murryyambothung8255]

Its nice to see people in diffrent cultural background preserving their cultural heritage Govt shall work more among such tribals

[@startreker8591]

I learned a lot y TY DW

[@Souljahna]

It would be nice if some kind watcher of this video (or a few of them) could set up a fund to help the youngest son continue his education.

[@movdej4783]

Great documentary film. Thanks for sharing on youtube.

[@mariaparker7545]

Thank heavens I wasn't born there! Barbaric on so many levels!

[@chickendinner5572]

This type of practices only happens in the high lands of Laos. These people are the many minority ethnic groups that live in Laos. We're mainly Buddhist and don't have these practices. Men and Women both work evenly. It's a big shame to be a lazy human in our culture.

[@MissKV86]

To call a people barbaric because their way of life/traditions/customs is not the same as yours or what you know is ignorant. Your way of life is not the only way. Open your mind and learn.

[@TripLaos]

thank you very much for making a film good film good information

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching!

[@mcl_wsk]

Thank you for the great video shared. Watching the video made me think of the past and it was beautiful. I am Akha❤from Thailand

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching!

[@unknownmadds7544]

I saw another documentary about how in different villages in Madagascar twins are known to be bad luck as well. They usually abandon them, or send them to an orphanage. It’s sad, but interesting to know that many people from different ethnic groups believe in similar things. Btw although I’m half Lao, I never knew groups like these exist in Laos. Also interesting fact: my grandmother who was born in Laos told me that in most families the women are the head of the house. So I’m not surprised by this.

[@bozm9961]

The music is just so beautiful, so are the folks of this village in the sky ❤❤

[@lidiatanasescu4807]

Yes, the music 🎶🎼 on this documentary is my favorite.

[@pamelarobinson5907]

Wow. This reminds me of a tribe in Africa where the women did all of the work including building the huts 🛖, and walked miles to fetch water. I don't see how they do it. Hats off to them.

[@laisaeteurn8434]

My sister told me they are the most hard working people in Laos. I can't wait to go back home and see my families

[@ArchitectureWorld]

In love with the magnificent soundtrack.....amazing documentary

[@NicheAtNight]

Me too!

[@SixFigureRea]

THEY WORK SO SO HARD. WOW! Bless their lives.

[@marfialennox2642]

🤣🤣🤣

[@ritamary72]

Fascinating to see how other people live.

[@thatsanalainthanousay2430]

25 years ago,I used to hang out with good friends whom were telling me that they are not Lao but Akha. But that didn’t stop us to care for each other. I see them as they are Laotian who were chasing out from Lao country just like me. Quite the few families still live in Oklahoma. They are very polite n smart people on Earth.

[@pRINCESSnARUE]

Other ethnic tribes are somewhat aware of the abandoning of twins and so they do try to adopt those children if they are able to. I have an aunt that was from the Akha tribe and I’m Yao/ Mien. My aunt’s parents adopted her because they couldn’t conceive. I was also told by my grandfather that sometimes Yao/ Mien would go and adopt the unwanted twins as well. And they were well aware of the culture practice.