Vitayatprapaiphan Nongyao. / Thesis submitted in: June 2004. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 91-96). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.1 / Preface --- p.4 / Chapter 1. --- Introduction - Knowing the Akha / Chapter a. --- Background --- p.10 / Chapter b. --- Problems the Akha People are Facing --- p.16 / Chapter c. --- Government Policy Towards the Akha and Hill Tribes in Northern Thailand --- p.22 / Chapter d. --- The Impact of Government Policy on the Akha People --- p.27 / Chapter e. --- Rituals and the Beliefs of the Akha --- p.30 / Chapter 2. --- The Traditional Musical Life of the Akha --- p.33 / Chapter 3. --- The Impact of Christianity on Akha Life and Musical Life --- p.38 / Chapter 4. --- The Impact of Tourism on Akha Life and Musical Life --- p.56 / Chapter 5. --- Prospects for the Traditional Musical Life of the Akha --- p.65 / Chapter 6. --- Conclusion --- p.73 / Appendix I: Figures --- p.82 / Appendix II: Musical Examples --- p.89 / Bibliography --- p.91