An Akhu woman. She belongs to a hill tribe minority found near Kengtung in Myanmar's Shan State. This tribe is not to be confused with the Akha, of whom they are generally considered to be a sub-group. Since they have evolved in small communities in an isolated valley for generations they have developed their own unique language and dress. Since many, including the women of this tribe, are famous for chain-smoking tobacco in bamboo pipes they are nicknamed the Bamboo Pipe People.