Lao PDR - Ethnic minorities - A Hmong woman winding hemp for making her traditional clothing

Wearing her traditional clothing, an elderly Hmong woman winds balls of hemp into one roll outside her home in Ban Chalern, Phongsaly province, Lao PDR. Making hemp fabric is a long and laborious process; the end result is a strong durable cloth with qualities similar to linen which the Hmong women use for their traditional clothing. In Lao PDR, hemp is now only cultivated in remote mountainous areas of the north. The remote and roadless village of Ban Chalern is situated along the Nam Ou river and will be relocated due to the construction of the Nam Ou Cascade Hydropower Project Dam 7.

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Filename: DSCF2204cc_1.jpg
Copyright: Tessa Bunney
Image Size: 4242x2828 / 1.5MB; Asia Lao Lao PDR Laos PDR Southeast Southeast Asia Tessa Bunney countryside ethnic ethnic minorities life minorities minority remote rural Hemp cannabis sativa cannabis sativa plant fibre fiber fabric Hmong Lai Hmong Lai traditional clothing costume mountainous textiles durable hill tribe tribes heritage laborious process Ban Chalern village Phongsaly Phongsali province winding wooden house home
Contained in galleries: Lao PDR - Hemp, Tessa Bunney - All pics

Wearing her traditional clothing, an elderly Hmong woman winds balls of hemp into one roll outside her home in Ban Chalern, Phongsaly province, Lao PDR. Making hemp fabric is a long and laborious process; the end result is a strong durable cloth with qualities similar to linen which the Hmong women use for their traditional clothing. In Lao PDR, hemp is now only cultivated in remote mountainous areas of the north. The remote and roadless village of Ban Chalern is situated along the Nam Ou river and will be relocated due to the construction of the Nam Ou Cascade Hydropower Project Dam 7.