The Akha are an Asian indigenous group originally from Mongolia. Geneological charts show 70 generations of Akha, about 80 less than the Chinese, putting the start of their civilization at least 1500 years ago. Civil unrest has led them to migrate practically throughout their existence, although they eventually settled in Yunan province of southwestern China for a significant period of time. Tibetan and Chinese influence helped shape their culture. War of recent centuries once again led them to travel south, building communities of Akha in Burma, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam.