The culture of Chiang Mai was originally mixed from that of Mon traders and Lanna Tai. The culture of Chiang Mai today encompasses many different aspects due to the many people migrating to Chiang Mai. For example, the Burmese migrating to Chiang Mai in the 16th century. Then follwed by the Chinese and Muslims in the later half of the 19th century 300+ years later after the Burmese arrived.
Although Chiang Mai is part of Thailand, it is safe to say that the culture of Chiang Mai is very distinctive from the whole of Thailand. Due to Chiang Mai's culture being influenced by the Lanna Tai which is a unique culture in itself.
Landscape of Chiang Mai that contributed to its culture
But what really contributed to it's individuality is its physical location which is being centred in a highly mountainous geographical area which is once covered in thick dense forests. This makes overland communication very tough in the past and as a result Chiang Mai people developed their own customs and beliefs over the years over isolation.
However due to technological advancements and globalisation, Chiang Mai is a host to numerous sub-cultures and a variety of lifestyles. Chiang Mai is now a vibrant modern city with hilltribe hawkers and stallholders.
Chiang Mai is deeply rooted in traditionalism, but tourism made Chiang Mai more disneyfied as they now have to be in sync with modernity. People of Chiang Mai are now selling their crafts like silverwork, bamboo work and woodcarving etc.
Although there are Mahayana Buddhists, Muslims and Sikhs in the larger towns, the main and established religion is Theravada Buddhism which is similar to that throughout the whole of Thailand due to 95% of the people in Thailand being Buddhists.
The only real exceptions regarding religious beliefs are those of the various hilltribes that exist throughout Chiang Mai. Overall, they are largely animist which means that they worship the nature spirit world. Conversely, over the years, western missionaries have now converted some of the hilltribe people to Christianity.
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