Title
Jacket
Year/Period
Mid 20th century, c.1960s
Region
Northern Thailand
Dimension
Object size: 48 x 130 cm
Accession No.
1993-01210-001
Collection of
This is a Lahu Shi married woman's jacket made from home-spun indigo-dyed cloth, finished with appliquéd bands and numerous tiny aluminium buttons and dangling silver balls. The jacket is fastened with silver buckles and worn with a black sarong and turban for festivals. The men also wear black outfits. Thought to have orginated from China, the Lahu, migrated from Burma and Laos into northern Thailand. There are several sub-groups of Lahu in Thailand, including the Black Lahu (Lahu Na), and Yellow Lahu (Lahu Shi).The origins of the colour distinctions are not clear, and not every group can be identified by the colour of their dress.
