The Lahu have been categorized into subgroups, such as the Lahu-Shi (Yellow Lahu), Lahu-Na (Black Lahu) and Lahu-Nyi (Red Lahu), based on their language and the clothing worn by the women. The man and woman in these photos are Lahu-Shi.

Lahu means "Tiger Hunters". The Lahu-Shi live mainly in mountainous regions, 1,300m above sea level, and are renowned as skillful hunters.

Lahu are said to be originally from China's Yunnan province, and over time moved south into Myanmar, practicing slash-and-burn agriculture. There are several Lahu-Shi (Yellow Lahu) villages in the foothills of the western and northwestern parts of Keng Tung basin.

The Lahu are strongly committed to principles of unity and working together for survival. Every individual in the village answers to the collective will of the elders. Their social concept of brotherhood is in their old saying: "Everyone helps everyone else when there is need. We are all 'awvi-awnyi' (older and younger siblings) together."