The Lisu (Lisaw) like to settle near the tops of mountains, as close as possible to streams or waterfalls. Their houses never have more than one door and are oriented to stand parallel to the face of the mountain on which they live.

Each village has a spirit house, and each house has a small shrine to spirits an ancestors. In addition, because the Lisu are the "engineers" among the Hilltribes, most of their villages feature a large bamboo pipe, a conduit, that carries to the village water from the nearest source.

The Lisu are a handsome people, perhaps the best-looking of all the tribes, and they like to think of themselves as a cut or two above their other Hilltribe neighbors. Consequently, they are among the least bashful of these ethnic groups, and, although patient, like to be a bit competitive as well.

• TRADITIONAL LOCATION(S): Northwest Highlands of the Thai Payap.
• MAJOR TRIBAL DIVISIONS: No major divisions
• POPULATION: (1992) est.: Approx. 28,500 in Thailand; 500,000 in China; 250,000 in Burma
• LANGUAGE(S): One Lisu dialect of the Yi branch of the Tibeto-Burman family
• FAMILY GROUP: Extended family to grandparents
• RELIGION: Both Ancestor and Spirit Worship
• VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS: Above 1,000 meters and close to available water - but not too near: see History below.

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