Lao textiles

Motifs in Lao textile are deeply symbolic. In fact, many Lao people and anthropologists can determine the ethnic group and marital status of the weaver, the region and function of a piece by simply looking at the textile.

Photo about Detailed texture of hand woven textile from Laos. Image of background, patterns, southeast - 119703304

David Hudson Wright on Instagram: “From my archives, Lao textile sample at Luang Prabang’s Museum of Traditional Arts & Ethnology #laos🇱🇦 #luangprabang…”

Authors of our book Silk Weavers of Hill Tribe Laos learned that to weave a new pattern is to begin a new life, Lao style.

By Joshua Hirschstein and Maren Beck Photography by Joe Coca Paperback | 224 Pages ISBN:9780997216899 Winner of the 2017 Independent Book Publishers Association Benjamin Franklin Gold Award for best travel book. What began as a couple’s backpacking adventure with their young sons in Southeast Asia transformed into a thriving fair trade business and a renewed [...]

The evolution of weaving in Laos, which emerged from the cultural contact between different ethnic groups, has created some of the most intricate and stunning textiles to come from the simple floor loom. For more than 40 years following World War II, Lao weaving all but disappeared. Within a few short years, Lao textiles, in particular the Lao Tai people's supplementary weft weaving, travelled from the brink of extinction to what is considered by collectors and connoisseurs to be amongst the…

Nestled between China, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam is charming Laos. An agrarian society, Laos has largely escaped Western style development. You won't find a Big Mac or a KFC out here, though, I don't know for how long. Life is refreshingly simple and laid back. The Mekong, one of the greatest rivers of the world, nourishes Laos and forms its backbone. Luang Prabang and Vientiane are its top cities. The town of Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is known for its…