This extremely valuable collection of texts in the Lahu language represents the language and culture in the 1960’s, a time when the heritage language and culture were still vibrant and not yet globalized, hence the title Window on a Vanished World. It is also one of the largest collections of texts in any Tibeto-Burman language. The texts are available as a book and online with the audio (originally from 1960’s magnetic tape). This is a massive achievement for all involved in the recording, conversion, and editing.

Pre-print of a conference paper comparing Gåhky and Akha with corrections on earlier work. Includes handwritten notes, examples, and word lists comparing modern forms with related languages.

Pre-print of a manuscript and dataset later published as a journal article comparing the cognate forms and phoneme inventories of 4 Lolo-Burmese languages: Akha, Hani, Khàtú, and Pìj̀ɔ̀. Includes handwritten notes, examples, and word lists comparing modern forms and Proto-Lolo-Burmese reconstructions.

A report from a Lahu man receiving paramedical training in Mae Taeng, about 40km south of Huey Tat. Every weekend he would return to the village and give a talk in church on Sunday morning, telling about what he had learned during the week. He encourages the Lahu to go to doctors sooner rather than waiting until the ailment has gotten much worse. He explains that women can give birth in the hospitals if they are not well during the pregnancy. He says medical treatment is free, and that the doctor training him welcomes the Lahus to be treated there in Mae Taeng.

A traditional story about a widow with several daughters who meets a shape-shifting snake. In this version, the moral of the story is explained: do not envy others.

A traditional story about a blind man and a man with a broken leg who were healed by a fortune teller.

A recording of Lahu women fishing in Huey Tat. They bring tools like hoes, mattocks, and plastic sheets to dam the stream. They stack stones and fill in the cracks with mud. They filled their baskets with fish 5-6 kilos of fish, including a soft shell turtle.

A discussion of agricultural practices amongst Lahu villagers. Some choose to plant their own small plots, but the elder encourages them to work together on larger plots. He reminds the villagers of an old saying that warns about rats and birds eating crops which aren't properly cultivated. They mention challenges like elephants trampling the crops, wild animals eating the crops, or the fields being burned by outsiders. They make plans to go hunting and scout different areas for planting in the new season.

A bible reading (John 16:27-28) and sermon about trust.

A reading of the Bible, I Corinthians 8: 1-13.

A reading of the Bible, Mark I: 1-17.

A blessing in the name of the spirits.

A traditional story about a blind man and a man with a broken leg who were healed at the New Year celebration.

A traditional story about a blind man and a man with a broken leg who meet a tiger and two turtles on the road. Through a series of animal encounters, both men are cured.

A traditional story about a group of blind people describing different parts of an elephant.

A humorous anecdote about a man fleeing from rabbit hunters.

A recording of a group of people building a house. They gather the materials, arrange to feed the builders, and discuss how many tiers the house should have. After thatching the roof, they raise the posts and secure the roof to the posts. Finally they build an awning, and the house is complete.

A description of how to build a house.

A description of how to build a house.

A conversation between Lahu villagers about building an airstrip in Shatodo village supervised by the Thai Border Police. The airstrip took up land originally used for rice cultivation. The villagers wonder whether they will get to ride on the planes that will use the airstrip.

A candid conversation with the Lahu.

A conversation between Lahu villagers while preparing to record. They are told to speak up and to think before they speak.

A conversation between Lahu villagers about courting women and planning what to record.

A recording of the village headman, Cabi, and villagers preparing to record skits and descriptions of village life. They are suggesting what to record--slaughtering animals, building houses, visiting Chiang Mai, taking the bus, bargaining at the market. The headman instructs everyone to be silent in the background, but the villagers are laughing a lot.