Population and Geographical Distribution
The Akha ethnic group originated from Southwest China. The Akha in China are classified by the Chinese government as Aini or together with other related peoples. These peoples are grouped together under "Hani," an official minority nationality of 1.25 million according to the 1990 census. While more than 200,000 Akha continue to live in Yunnan province, significant numbers have migrated southward during the last century.
Today, nearly 200,000 Akha live in Myanmar and 5,000 in Laos. Another 12,500 live in Vietnam where they are known as Ha Nhi. According to 1995 population figures published by the Tribal Research Institute of Chiang Mai, there are over 48,000 Akha living in 258 villages in North Thailand. Speakers of Tai languages often call the Akha "Ekaw" or simply "Kaw," terms viewed derogatory by the Akha because these terms are akin to words which mean "slave."
Language
Linguistically, the Akha belong to the Loloish branch of the Tibeto-Burman family. There are four dialects of Akha. In Thailand, the written language has two versions, a Romanized script and a Thai-based script, which were both developed by Christian missionaries.
Livelihood and Economic Situation
The Akha people are shifting cultivators, growing dry rice on mountainsides. Rice is more than just food to Akha. The cultivation of rice is bound up with myths and rituals, and must be done in the "Akha way."
Religion
A strong animistic ideology permeates the world view of the Akha people. In addition, they have the notion of a great world-creating divinity. The Akha have great interest in, and a remarkable knowledge of, their ancestors. Many are able to recite over 60 names of their male ancestors. They keep an ancestral altar in their homes, at which food is offered up at important times in the year such as New Year and after rice harvest.
Christian Mission
The New Testament was translated into Akha and adapted for Thailand using a simplified Thai script in 1983. The translation of the Old Testament was completed by an Akha in 1994, and it is being prepared for publication. A new hymnbook for the Akha was also published in 1994.
Christian Church Within the Group
In China, it is estimated that there are 7,400 Christians among the Akha people.