Left to Right:
Sleeveless tunic
Akha Nugui, Pha Poun Kao village, Phongsaly Province
Handwoven, indigo-dyed cotton with factory-made cloth applique and embroidery. Aluminium alloy buttons.
Long sleeved tunic with buckles and coins
Akha Nugui. Made by Mii Tue. Pha Poun Kao village, Phongsaly Province
Factory-made cotton with applique, embroidery. Aluminium alloy buckles and buttons. Indochinese coins.
Long sleeved tunic with buckles
Akha Nugui, Pha Poun Kao village, Phongsaly Province
Handwoven, indigo-dyed cotton with ribbon detail. Aluminium alloy buckles.
Young girl’s tunic with embroidery
Akha Nugui, Pha Poun Kao village, Phongsaly Province
Handwoven, indigo-dyed cotton with factory-made cloth applique and embroidery.
Akha Nuqui women in Ban Pha Poun Kao wear distinctive traditional clothing and headdresses with long silver chains, hoops and coins. Their tunics are worn over thee-quarter length trousers, and nowadays, a t-shirt may be layered underneath.
Traditionally, these tunics were made of handwoven cotton dyed with indigo, but factory-made cloth is now common. As women seek new ways to embellish their clothing, multicoloured ribbon trim and bright thread are becoming popular. These modern adaptations can be seen in the tunic dispayed second from the right.
Details on sleeveless tunic:
Details on long sleeved tunic with buckles and coins:
Details on long sleeved tunic with buckles:
Details on young girl’s tunic with embroidery:
