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Summary of History and Programs of MPCD/SEAMP 2002/2545

1. Name of the 0rganization : South East Asian Mountain Peoples' for Culture and Development. ( MPCD/SEAMP)
The organization has two subdivisions:
a. MPCD/SEAMP Highland Research Institute. (HRI)
b. MPCD/SEAMP programs for Education and Culture.

2.Address in Thailand :
137/3 Nantharam Road ,Chiang Mai,50100
Telephone (66) 053276194 .Fax (66)053274947
E-mail : seamptri@loxinfo.co.th

4. Year of establishment:
* Informal Establishment MPCD/SEAMP 1981/2524
* Formal Establishment of SEAMP-International, Netherlands,1986.
* Formal recognition MPCDE/SEAMP: October 1989/2528 .
* Establishment of the South East Asian Mountain Peoples' Culture and Development, Highland Research Institute
( MPCD/SEAMP HRI ) , 1985/2523 officially recognized 1993.

5. Administrative board Positions:
Dr. Leo Alting von Geusau, Research Director Mr. Acha/ Thunyapong Dzoedang/Kiriseanjai, Assistant Ms. Kidakarn Arthornprachachit , Bursar Mr. Bawsoe Jupoh, member/ Founder . Ms. Darunee (Deuleu) Choopoh, Women affairs. Advisors: Prof. Kraisak Choonhavan. Ajarn Sulak Srivaraksa.

6. Objectives: MPCD/SEAMP is a non-profit organization, originating from the ideas of Akha leaders and urbanizing modern Akha women. with the following aims and goals:
6.1. "To combat poverty by promoting equal access for mountain minority peoples in Thailand and surrounding countries, to modern education, primary health care ,citizenship and the national economy with integration of those elements of South East Asian minority mountain peoples' culture which had made them strong in the past ".
6.2. " To promote ,in through MPCD/SEAMP HRI , archivation, documentation, (action) research and information , regarding mountain minority peoples' customary law and traditional knowledge as expressed in their oral traditions. Documentation and action research include study of- and conscientization about mountain peoples' problems of integration and their adaptation to modern times, for greater future self reliance."
6.3."To promote sustainable ' self-development ' of mountain minority peoples , by continuation and adaptation of their rich traditional oral/visual education in modern forms, such as books, CD-Roms, websites and so on. Self-development and education have to be based upon these existing human resources."

7. Activities ( can be divided in):
7.1. NGO-building for Education and Culture.
7.2. MPCD/SEAMP-HRI Information, Documentation, Research activities.
7.3. MPCD/SEAMP Integrated Educational Activities.
7.4. Activities for self-reliance

7.1.NGO-building for Education and Culture: Starting the first independent NGO's for Minority Mountain PeoplesFor Culture and Education in Thailand :แ Akha Association for Education and Culture in Thailand (AFECT), Chiang Rai,1981/2524, recognized 1989/2532.แ Mountain Peoples'Culture and Development Educational Foundation,(MPCDE) 1981/2524, recognized 1989/2523.แ Inter Mountain People for Education and Culture in Thailand (IMPECT), Chiang Mai, 1986/2529 , recognized 1993/2536แ ABU Akha Women Educational and Cultural Center, Pha Phong , A. Mae Sruay, Changwat Chiang Rai.1995 :

7.2. MPCD/SEAMP-HRI Information, Documentation, Research activities.
7.2.1. H.R.I.Documentation,Information and Consultancy (DIC) services: at 137/3 Nantharam,Chiang Mai;They include:
แ An Open Library Regarding Ethnic Minorities in the Mekong Quadrangle area.
แ Information services for tourists,researchers and the media.
แ Consultancy services for researchers.
แ Cultural workshops for guests.

7.2.2. H.R.I. Hani/Akha Cultural programmes (SHAC) แ Documentation, Research and Safeguarding by Archivation of the Archaic Resources of the Hani/Akha (DORESAKA) in the Mekong Quadrangle area (S. China ,E. Burma, N. Laos , N. Vietnam and N. Thailand ). Traditional customary law, including traditional knowledge, contains rules for all sectors of life such as the moral, legal, medical, ecological, technical besides historical knowledge, and the use and interaction of human and cultural resources. This knowledge has been building up over centuries by their ancestors. The founders of MPCD/SEAMP hope to continue these "lines of knowledge" as a base for development in modern times ".This also includes surveying of the many Akha subgroups in those areas, where the Customary Law and Traditional knowledge ,transferred by cultural specialists are still alive. แ Dissemination of Hani/Akha Archaic Resources (DIARA),includes the writing down , translation ( in modern Akha, Thai , English ,sometime Chinese ) and publishing of orally transmitted archaic Hani/Akha texts and songs in a series of Archaic Hani/Akha Culture Resource Textbooks, Songbooks, CD-ROM แ The Akha script used is recognized by all Hani/Akha. Hani/Akha leaders in the area tries to save Hani/Akha Customary Law and traditional knowledge (Zangr) for the younger Akha generations , before the older generation of Hani/Akha cultural specialists dies and these treasures would be lost forever. To learn the international Akha language and basics of "Zangr" or Customary Law a series of smaller exercise books is being publishes.

7.2.3. Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Hani/Akha Medicine (TEKAM) and its integration in a Self Help Primary Health Care System :This is an ongoing program since 1989 and revitalized in 1994/95. It is based in Pha Pong, A. Mae Sruay , Chang wat Chiang Rai.

7.2.4. H.R.I. Action Research ProgrammesBesides this the HRI related native staffs, resource-persons from the villages and students also have been conducting , over the years, action research and workshops on a series of issues, related to the mountain peoples in Northern Thailand. Main subject areas have been amongst others :
แ Research into traditional arts and crafts (RICA),แ Impact of Urban Development on the Mountains ,(IDRC)
แ Ecological Conservation and Biodiversity in villages and old texts
แ Tourism Cooperation Mountain Peoples and the Tourist Industry
แ Problems of drug addiction, prostitution.
แ Problems of Land Rights and Citizenship as a reason of impoverishment and urbanization See periodical Civit Bondoi/Life on the Mountain 1989-1993

7.3. MPCD/SEAMP Integrated Educational and Training Activities.
7.3.1. The MPCD/SEAMP Chiang Mai Student and Leadership Training Program, Chiang Mai .Since 1986 MPCD/SEAMP gives scholarships to students ,to studyin Higher Studies, like the Rajabath Institute, Commercial College, Chiang Mai- and Payap Universities. Besides this students are able to training in English,Computer, and Akha language/culture studies. Preference is given to students committed to become nurse, lawyer, Teacher and agriculturist,who will serve the mountain peoples' NGO's and their own communities .

7.3.2. The MPCD/SEAMP ABU Akha Women Educational and Cultural Center, Pha Pong, Mae Sruay .
แ Since 1995 this program gives scholarships to Akha women, in the nearby Mattichon 2 highschool, and receive additional training in handicraft, computer, traditional medicine, Thai and Akha language/ culture studies .
แ The program want to impower Akha village women by Teaching them self-help Primary Health Care ,combining traditional and modern medicine and methods (see nr.7.2.3.)

7.4. Activities for self-reliance:
Golden Triangle Peoples' Art and Handicraft, lmt.Co. Showroom: 137/1 Nantharam,Chiang Mai,50100.

8. MPCD/SEAMP Networking program With which organizations do you have network :
แ In Thailand (amongst others):
Networking with Mountain Peoples' NGO's for Education And Culture.
AFECT,Chiang Rai.
IMPECT,Chiang Mai.
Social Science Research Institute (SSRI),Chiang Mai University.
Faculty of Social Science, Chiang Mai University.
Tribal Research Institute, Chiang Mai
.แ International Networking (amongst others):
Committee for the Maintenance of Akha Culture, Kengtung, Myammar.
Peoples'Minority Committee of Xixuangbanna, Hani/Aini Section, Jinghong, Xixuangbanna,Yunnan PR of China.
Hani/Yi Nationality Institute of the Chinese Academy of Science , Jianshui, Honghe Prefecture, PR of China.
Several Universities and Minority Institutes worldwide. UNESCO, Bangkok and Paris.

9. Target area
Minority Mountain Peoples in the Mekong Quadrangle with emphasis on the Hani/Akha

10.The Organizations supporting you.
Several organizations, worldwide and they can be divided in:Organizations supporting MPCD/SEAMP-HRI cultural action research, and generally are activity oriented and short-term, like: IDRC, Canada (1989-1992); CESO, Netherlands; CIDA, Canada (1994-1996); Japan Foundation Asia Center ( 1996-1999;2001-2002); Toyota Foundation (2001-2002).Organizations supporting MPCD/SEAMP Education and Training Programs:Scholarship funding :SEAMP-International Foundation, Netherlands,1986- 2002 (although diminishing);Richard Hua Foundation, Hongkong . Short term "Seed-money" to start a new educational or Training Program: Rotary International 2000.

Welcome to www.hani-akha.org

22.6.2002: This website has been recently comlpetely remade, and the content will be expanded often in the following weeks and months.

The makers of this website are a fairly large group of Hani/Akha, mostly linked in some way to MPCD/SEAMP, Chiang Mai, Thailand.We are "traditional" Akha, which means that we want to protect Akha culture, or Zangr, from destruction and try to adapt it to modern times. Zangr has been shaped up and handed over from generation to generation by our ancestors, for over 1500 years already.

We are trying to adapt Zangr to modern society, because it can serve the education of the young generations of Akha. Our group is spread over the borderlines of 5 different countries in South East Asia. Some of us live in villages in the mountains and others in cities. Quite a lot -if not most- of us are poor by modern standards. A few are better off. We are involved in many different kinds of activities, but we have ancestors in common and we still honour them.

Much of this website is in English language, but several parts are also in Akha as this website is equally made for our own people.We are also working with Thai, Chinese and Dutch translations. The script for writing the Akha language is described briefly in the Akha language section. The script has been internationally recognized by (non-Christian) Akha leaders and linguists in several international meetings, since 1993, because we want to reach all Akha with our writings. When you read Akha words, please note that final consonants at the end of syllables represent one of the 5-6 tones of Akha language and they are not to be pronounced as consonants: R stands for a high tone; Q: low tone; No consonant at the end is middle tone; V is a so called "glottal stop" in the end of the syllable. This means that 6 tonal signs (and combinations) are possible in the ends of syllables: R; VR; V; Q; VQ; (no final consonant).

In addition to the Akha, MPCD-SEAMP's highland research institute (HRI) does research on other mountain minorities. Until 1992 the staff and student programs included other groups too.

Now that you can read our names better, let us first of all present us, the people related actively to the South East Asian Mountain Peoples Culture and Development (MPCD-SEAMP) Group (started 1979) and to this www.hani-akha.org website:

Akha leaders and Akha staff
- active in -or related to- the MPCD-SEAMP Group are, according to their Akha name:

(Mr.) Aqbaw Busoev Dzoeqbaw, main founder of Akha NGOs since 1979. He is still a main Akha language and culture specialist and trainer (See DIARA and DORESAKA). He is located in Mae Sruay, Thailand.

(Mrs.) Aqpiq Deurleu Dzoeqbaw, who has been another main founder of Tribal NGOs since 1979 and now heading the ABU Akha Women Project Mae Sruay and the Golden Triangle Handicraft Project Chiang Mai.

(Mr) Aqbawr Lawgaw Mangqpo, is an Akha language writer and editor and and Akha language and culture teacher in several villages (see DIARA). He is located in Mae Sruay.

(Mr.) Piche Jupao is an editor and computer operator for Akha language and culture at the Chiang Mai office (See DIARA).

(Ms.) Arbya Yeuvchehvq is a nurse who has studied English in the USA and in charge of the Self Help Primary Health Care program in Mae Sruay.

(Ms.) Arbyaq Dzoeqbaw is an Akha student at the Teacher College,Chiang Mai and teacher of Akha language writing to Akha students of the Chiang Mai Akha Student Program.

(Mr.) Archaq Dzoeqdang, BA. is the manager of the ABU Akha Woman Cultural and Educational Center, Mae Sruay.

(Ms.) Adoe Dzoeqbaw BA. is the Mae Baan of the ABU Women project.

(Mr.) Ayoe Lawbyiei MA. is an ethnobotanist Akha from China now studying anthropology and working for MPCD/SEAMP Chiang Mai (See DORESAKA).

(Mr.) Abaw Suida Hgoeqmehr is director of the People's Republic Minority Radio and TV Station in Jinghong, China and works for MPCD/SEAMP Chiang Mai (See DORESAKA).

(Ms.) Miqjur Mawqlehqguq is a strong leader and activist fighting the human rights problems of the Akha in Thailand; She is a staff member of IMPECT -Chiang Mai, but also working in close relationship with MPCD/SEAMP.

(Mr.) Maw Arsanq Jovqluiv is a medic who has worked in Akha villages as a "barefoot doctor" for 13 years already and is related to the Self Help Primary Health Care program

(Ms.) Asseu Jupoh: Speaker of Chiang Mai Government Radio's daily Akha Program.

Non-Akha Staff
- There are only very few non-Akha working with MPCD/SEAMP and only one full-time since 1979:

(Dr.) Leo Alting von Geusau, (also called Abaw Leo or Abaw Yargaq). He is an Akha anthropologist, researcher, writer and co-founder of the first Akha and other tribal NGOs for Education and Culture, living with the Akha since 1977. He is originally from the Netherlands and is the husband of Deurleu Dzoeqbaw since 1981. Leo is also Director/Coordinator of the MPCD/SEAMP related programs. Dr.Leo G.M. Alting von Geusau passed away on the 26th of December, due to heart failure.

(Ms.) Kidakarn Arthornprachachit (Thom). She is of the Mien/Yao tribal group and bursar/accountant of MPCD/SEAMP and related programs.

(Ms.) Prof. Inga Lill Hansson is a Swedish linguist specialized in Akha language, besides Chinese. She has been working with the Akha for more than 25 years already, recording and translating ritual texts (see DIARA and Akha Education). She teaches at the East Asian Language Department of the University of Lund, Sweden. The International Akha writing system was set up with her help.

(Mr.) Ilmari Hyvönen from Finland is working with MPCD/SEAMP's traditional and electronic publications, and training Akha.

(Ms.) Noriko Higashide MA, (also called Miyoq, Minya) from Japan is studying anthropology and working with MPCD/SEAMP. She had studied Akha language and researching modern changes among the Akha people in this border area for more than 5 years.

The Hani/Akha Peoples: Preventing confusions with names

Linguistically and also according to their genealogy those calling themselves "Akha"and and groups indicated as "Hani" belong to the same group (See Hani/Akha genealogy). According to the Chinese classification those calling themselves "Akha" now are a part of the the Hani minority peoples and they are called Hani in China; their official specific name as a subgroup is not Akha but Aini or Zaqnyiq. These names are used by the Chinese. Zaqnyiq is the way most Akha groups called themselves in the past and its also the name which we find in the old archaic/ritual Akha texts. "Zaqnyiq" means "Our people". Today most call themselves "Akha" which according to some means "In between (high upland and lowland) People".

This website will pay most attention to the Akha/Zaqnyiq and only occasionally to the other Hani related groups in the Red River or Honghe areas.

Some of the content is in pdf-files, and you'll need Acrobat Reader to view it.

Contact

MPCD-SEAMP-HRI Nantharam 137/3 Chaing Mai 50100; Thailand.

Tel. 66-53-276 194 Fax: 66-53-274 947 E-mail: seamptri@loxinfo.co.th

© MPCD-SEAMP 2002, Updated: 29 Dec 2002

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