We went to an ethnographic and textile museum today. There were terrific displays and short films to watch. we took a lot of pictures of the costumes and fabrics. The one abov was a decorative edge for a hand woven ,indigo dyed, mosquito net which was so beautiful. It hung as if from a four poster bed with the decoration on the top and it resembled a lovely tent. It also provides a bit of privacy in a home where generations of family live together. Notice the silk worm cocoons used at the top of the tassels. Laos is home to nearly 50 different ethnic groups and sub goups all with differnt dress.
Check out the picture of the needle cases. The bluie one is a great modern adaptation of a traditioal thing. Itès made with bic pen tops!
the picture of the fuschia colored headdress is a crown worn during a wedding ceremony. All the metal is handmade and silver.
There is one ethnic group that from an oral tradition the men can recite their family tree back 60 generations. Today some of the groups only wear traditional dress for ceremonial or special occasions
and others are adapting to some machine made or manufactured components. Amongst the Hmong some make money by sending traditional clothing and implements overseas to family members for resale. There are over 200,000 Hmong in the US alone.
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