Nan province, northeastern Thailand, "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".
This summer I met a small group of Mlabri people. They were now living in some very simple cottages built by another minority people. A governmental aim is to transform this ancient civilisation into modern life. No hunting anymore, no moving to new places for a two week's life under a banana leaf shelter. The old men were sad. The children on the picture had just finished their school. Not comfortable with the clothes someone put on them, they now receive som candies from the teacher – who is not a Mlabri woman.
Times are changing.
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