Red Tai Indawgyi People, Myanmar

Experience the way of life of the Red Tai Indawgyi people in Kachin State, Myanmar with mr.hotsia

This journey with mr.hotsia takes me deep into the land of Kachin State, Myanmar to meet the Red Tai community, an ethnic group sharing roots with our Black Tai or original Tai people, yet possessing a unique charm all their own. Especially notable is their distinctive clothing, vibrant in color and adorned with accessories that clearly tell the story and identity of their culture.

There are about 40 villages of Red Tai people in Kachin State, totaling over 50,000 individuals. Most are scattered around Indawgyi Lake, which was another destination where I stopped to admire the beauty and way of life here. Reaching this place is not easy, but if you plan well like I did by choosing the route from Mandalay to Myitkyina, as I previously described in my article, it becomes manageable.Journey to MyitkyinaThen take a vehicle to Hopin town to visit the morning market, followed by a shared truck ride of about one hour to truly experience the atmosphere of Indawgyi Lake.

The Charm of Red Tai Clothing and Culture

The first thing I noticed when meeting the Red Tai people was the deep blue clothing they wear, a national color of the Tai since ancient times, different from the Chinese who prefer black or the Vietnamese who wear brown. Additionally, there are red lace and patterns on their clothes that clearly signify the “Red Tai” identity. The accessories worn by the Red Tai, whether necklaces or brooches, are intricately designed, reflecting their deep love and pride in their culture.

I had the opportunity to stay with several Red Tai families in villages by Indawgyi Lake and found that they have remarkably preserved their traditional way of life. Most houses are traditional Thai-style stilt houses with high underfloor spaces used for raising ducks and chickens. Their livelihood mainly remains rice farming, following the rural lifestyle familiar to me from northern Thailand.

Daily Life and the Role of Red Tai Women

In Red Tai households, I observed that daughters and housewives often play important roles in preparing food and caring for the family. The dishes they served me were simple yet flavorful, rich with local herbs, such as hot sticky rice with Red Tai-style fermented fish chili paste, fresh vegetables from the backyard garden, and fresh fish from Indawgyi Lake, which are part of their daily meals. I felt that the housewives here have a significant voice in the family and are the guardians of culture through food and traditional dress.

If you are interested in the food and lifestyle of the Red Tai in detail, I recommend readingBehind the Kitchen of Red Tai Womenwhere I have collected many warm and exciting stories and photos of local cooking.

Indawgyi Lake: Source of Life and Cultural Connection

Indawgyi Lake is not just a natural water source but also the center of life for the Red Tai and other tribes around Kachin State. I walked around the lake, saw houseboats floating on the water, and witnessed the community living simply in traditional ways. Visiting here reminded me of the morning market in Myitkyina, which I wrote about inMyitkyina Morning Market, Kachin Statefull of color and vibrancy. I recommend visiting these morning markets before heading down to the lake to fully experience the local atmosphere and culture.

Travel and Accommodation in Kachin State

Traveling to Kachin State today is much more convenient with nearly all roads in good condition, making the trip from Yangon or Mandalay to Myitkyina take only overnight. For those wanting to experience the Red Tai way of life and visit Indawgyi Lake, I recommend staying in Myitkyina, which offers several accommodations such as the New Light Hotel where I stayed. Alternatively, there are homestays at Indawgyi Lake managed by local soldiers and villagers, affordable and providing a genuine close-to-nature experience. Read more atJourney to Indawgyi Lake, Kachin State

Closing Words with mr.hotsia

For me, the Red Tai people in Kachin State are not just an ethnic group with beautiful deep blue clothing and red patterns, but they are the guardians of traditional Tai culture blended harmoniously with Burmese ways of life. Spending time talking, cooking, and sharing with several Red Tai families was a rare and invaluable experience. This is a journey that mr.hotsia invites everyone to experience firsthand, to realize that the beauty of Red Tai culture is within reach.

If you want to follow deeper stories in Kachin State or explore various aspects of the lifestyle and local food I experienced, you can click to readBehind the Kitchen of Red Tai WomenorJourney to Myitkyinato prepare before traveling with me, mr.hotsia.