Migration und ethnische Identität der Sgaw-Karen und Lisu in Nordthailand

Abstract

The topic of this article is the impact of migration on the ethnic identity of Lisu and Karen in Northern Thailand. Although temporary migrants are cultural brokers in their home villages because they reinforce consumerism or Thai-Buddhist rituals, most Lisu and Karen tend to cling to their specific ethnic identity. Most town migrants in Chiangmai live in separate ethnic communities. Only the well educated are able and willing to change their ethnic identity situationally, but without denying their ethnic identity. Therefore the emotional attachment to one’s own ethnic identity in spite of all the differentiations in lifestyle nowadays is far more important than many authors postulated previously. Lisu are, however, more open to modem changes and intermarriage than Karen, who live togehter with their Thai neighbours much longer.