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The Depository documents 26 techniques in Laos; by risk level: 12 critically endangered, 12 endangered, 2 vulnerable. Each record opens with a public summary; the full research record is free to view once registered.
The Lanten (also known as Yao or Mien) people of northern Laos practice two related craft traditions that are among the most aesthetically distinctive in the highland ethnic minority context: indigo-dyed cotton embroidered with red…
The heddle-based supplementary weft and warp pattern-weaving technique used across Lao Loum and Lao-Tai weaving communities to produce the naga (mythical serpent) motif — the specific technique inscribed by UNESCO in 2023 as 'Lao…
The Lao pha biang (ຜ້າບ່ຽງ) is the ceremonial shoulder cloth worn by Lao men and women at Buddhist ceremonies, weddings, baci rituals, and state occasions — draped over the left shoulder and tied or pinned at the right hip.
The Lao pha boun (ຜ້າບຸນ — 'merit cloth') is a specific category of woven textile produced as a Buddhist merit-making offering — commissioned by a lay donor, woven by women specialist weavers, and offered to the temple (wat) for use as…
Phuan silk weaving is the textile tradition of the Phuan people — a small Tai sub-group historically centered in Xieng Khouang Province, Laos, whose population was dramatically reduced by the Secret War (1964–1973) and subsequent…
Tai Dam (Black Tai) textile weaving is the silk and cotton weaving tradition of the Tai Dam people — one of several Tai sub-groups who settled in the highland valleys of northern Laos and northwestern Vietnam.
Tai Lue silk weaving is the textile tradition of the Tai Lue people — a Tai sub-group whose heartland is Sipsong Panna in southern Yunnan (China) but who established significant communities in Muang Sing, Luang Namtha, Laos.
The Akha u-pa (headdress) is the most visually distinctive personal adornment object in the Laos highland ethnic minority context — a complex structured hat worn by Akha women, built on a rattan or bamboo frame and decorated with silver…
Hmong batik and appliqué (Paj Ntaub Kab Ke — 'flower cloth in layers') is the primary textile art of the Hmong (Miao) people of northern Laos — combining wax-resist batik, reverse appliqué, and embroidery in a single garment panel.
Hmong story cloth (Paj Ntaub Dab Neeg — 'flower cloth of stories') is a textile form that emerged among Hmong refugee communities in the late 1970s as a way of documenting the displacement, war, and migration experiences of the Hmong…
Luang Prabang gold thread embroidery (ປັກຜ້າ pak pha) is the royal court embroidery tradition of Laos — produced for royal ceremonial dress, temple banners, and Buddhist offerings until the abolition of the monarchy in 1975, and now…
Akha silver ornament making is the metalwork tradition of the Akha people of northern Laos — distinct from Hmong silverwork (CRAFT-0411) in its emphasis on flat stamped sheet silver rather than tube-forming or casting, and in its specific…
Hmong silver ornament making (Dawb Nyiaj — 'work in silver') is the silversmithing tradition of the Hmong people of northern Laos — closely related to Miao silverwork (CRAFT-0367) but with distinct Lao Hmong aesthetic characteristics:…
Lao silver repoussé (ເງິນລາຍ ngoen lai — 'patterned silver') is the silversmithing tradition of the Lao Loum people, producing ceremonial vessels, monk's alms bowls, betel nut containers, and personal ornaments through the repoussé…
The Khmu bamboo musical instrument tradition encompasses the making of the khaen (mouth organ), bamboo panpipes (khui), and the bamboo jaw harp (ko) — a cluster of instruments made from the same material but requiring entirely different…
Lao bronze gong making (ຄ້ອງ khong) is the tradition of casting and hand-hammering bronze discs into tuned gongs for the khong vong (ຄ້ອງວົງ — circular gong rack), the defining instrument of Lao classical music (lam).
The making of the khaen — the free-reed bamboo mouth organ that is the national instrument of Laos and, according to UNESCO's 2017 inscription citation, an integral part of Lao life promoting family and social cohesion.
Ban Chan pottery (ດິນເຜົາ din phao — 'fired earth') is the traditional earthenware tradition of Ban Chan village on the opposite bank of the Mekong River from Luang Prabang — one of the few surviving traditional pottery villages in Laos.
Khmu hand-built pottery (ດິນຂະມຸ din khmu) is the oldest ceramic tradition in Laos — predating Lao Loum settlement of the Mekong Valley — and one of the most technically minimal: pots are formed entirely by coiling and hand-smoothing, with…
Khmu basketry (ງານໄຂ້ ngaan kai — 'work of hands') is the woven object tradition of the Khmu people — one of Laos's largest ethnic minorities and among its oldest inhabitants.
The Lao tip khao (ຕິບເຂົ້າ) is the conical bamboo basket used for steaming and serving sticky rice (khao niao) — the dietary staple of Laos and arguably the single most culturally significant craft object in the country.
Lao Buddhist temple mural painting (ຮູບສິນວັດ) is the tradition of painting the interior and exterior walls of Buddhist temples (wat) with scenes from the Jataka tales (the Buddha's previous lives), the Pha Lak Pha Lam (Lao Ramayana), and…
Lao Buddhist temple woodcarving (ສັກໄມ້ວັດ sak mai vat) is the architectural relief carving tradition decorating the gables, doors, window frames, and interior panels of Lao Buddhist temples (wat).
Lao gold-on-black lacquerware (ເຄື່ອງລັກ kheung lak) is the Buddhist ritual and decorative lacquer tradition of the Lao Loum people — producing manuscript cabinets, alms bowls, trays, and temple objects in black lacquer with gold leaf…
Lao mtmee (ມັດໝີ່ — 'tied thread') is the weft ikat silk weaving tradition of the Lao Loum people of the Mekong Valley — the defining luxury textile of Laos and one of the most technically demanding ikat traditions in Southeast Asia.
Lao sa paper (ກະດາດສາ kradaat sa) is the traditional handmade paper of Laos, produced from the bark of the sa tree (Broussonetia papyrifera — paper mulberry) using a technique closely related to Thai saa paper and ultimately descended from…