Ethnic group Palong bride at the wedding day, Chiang Dao, Thailand

Ethnic group Palong bride at the wedding day, Chiang Dao, Thailand, a photo by Hanabi@asima on Flickr.

Ethnic group Palong bride at the wedding day, Chiang Dao, Thailand. There are a few Palong villages in Thailand, all of them in the northern part of Chiang Mai province along the border to Myanmar (Burma). Their main livelihood is the cultivation of tanatep, a large leaf to wrap burmese cigars. The Palongs are easily recognized by the striking custom of their women: red sarong like garments, mostly a blue jacket with red collar and broad silver waistbands. Another striking feature are their gold decorated teeth.

This is the smallest group of Thai hill tribes. They live in wooden houses, constructed on stilts and mostly engage in growing tea, chillies, sugar canes and other products.  Many Palong have converted to Buddhism mixed with animism and practice ancestor worship.

Palong Smile, a photo by Rodd Cameron on Flickr.

The Palong are known for their extremely black teeth, which they get from chewing Betel nut. They chew the Betel nut for the "high" they get, which I'm told is something like that of nicotine but stronger. The chemicals in the Betel nut eventually turn their teeth completely black