Lahu Vest

Thai Tribal Crafts carries a range of clothing that reflects the tribal Lahu origins in a fusion of traditional patterns and classic styling, including T-shirts, jackets and these vests.

Lahu Vest

 Thai Tribal Crafts is a self-help marketing agency established in 1973 with the main goal to provide opportunities for improving the quality of life of the tribal people living in Northern Thailand.


These vests have been crafted in the Lahu tribal community. The Lahu have about 73,500 people living in Northern Thailand. The Lahu women do unusual weaving and patch work trims while the men are skilled in producing musical instruments and other items from bamboo.


The Lahu population can be divided into four major sub-groups: Lahu Nyi, Lahu Na, Lahu Sheh Leh and Lahu Shi. Lahu Sheh Leh and Lahu Nyi still wear their traditional outfits, whereas Lahu Na and Lahu Shi tend to dress like Northern Thai people and wear their traditional clothing only on festive occasions like weddings and New Year's festival.

Lahu people traditionally grew their own cotton, but this activity is no more possible due to the land limitation: nowadays, they purchase it at the market.

Lahu women weave cloth using back-strap and foot-treadle looms. Then they decorate the cloth, with various techniques: Lahu Na and Lahu Shi mostly use patch-work appliqu?, whereas Lahu Shi and Lahu Nyi make embroidery. All groups use bands of cloth and silver half-sphere buttons for embellishment.

When you buy this product, 60% of its price goes to the craftsmen. You will enjoy wearing this vest, and at the same time have the satisfaction of knowing that this purchase will help the Lahu tribe to raise its standard of living.

See more vest carries by Thai Tribal Crafts Fair Trade, please click : http://www.ttcrafts.co.th/cgi-bin/producttype.cgi?producttype=Vest