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The Lahu language contains seven tones and has so many dialects that people
from different areas often have trouble understanding
each other. In the past, the Lahu used woodcarvings
to pass messages to each other; in some areas,
western priests developed an alphabet. In 1949,
the Lahu script was altered and became the official
written language.
Married Lahu women traditionally shave their
heads. This practice started as a means to protect
themselves from being grabbed by wild animals
when they went hunting with their husbands.
They have continued this practice, believing
that shaved heads make them beautiful and clean.
However, unmarried women do not shave their
heads.
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