Hand spun, hand dyed and handwoven, this thick cotton stole is dyed a rich, deep indigo, with pale blue panels, fine white stripes and a rust-brown band above the indigo and white tassels at each end.
Ban Lou Weavers, Nam Bak, Laos
Nam Bak is a remote village in northern Laos, where a group of weavers preserve their traditional techniques of weaving cotton stoles and scarves. This small community uses locally grown cotton, hand spun on traditional wooden wheels, and natural dyes sourced from the surrounding land, including:
Indigo, from the Indigofera tinctoria plant, said to symbolise the blue skies over Laos
Earthy browns, from the teak tree
Gold tones, from the jackfruit tree
Reds and pinks, from the sappan tree
Natural tones, from lemongrass
A regal purple, from stick lac, a resin left behind by the lac insect
The dyeing process involves fermenting and boiling the plants in large clay pots, then leaving the cloth to steep.
The driving force behind this cottage industry is Somdeth, a local man who recognised the hardships faced by the weavers in his village. After spending years as a Buddhist monk and later studying English and business management in Luang Prabang, Somdeth returned to Nam Bak in 2018. He set up a workshop to teach spinning, dyeing and weaving, giving the weavers both skills and a livelihood.
Somdeth’s journey has not been without challenges. During the COVID-19 pandemic he lost his shop in Nong Khiaw, the nearest town, but he carried on the community project in Nam Bak, and his dedication has allowed it to continue.
Date: 21st century
Geography: Nam Bak, Laos
Dimensions: 200cm L x 70cm W
Weight: 276g
Material: Hand spun cotton, naturally dyed
Condition: New, see photos
As each stole is hand spun and handwoven, every piece is individual, and small variations or imperfections are part of its handmade character.
For more information
Hand spun, hand dyed and handwoven, this thick cotton stole is dyed a rich, deep indigo, with pale blue panels, fine white stripes and a rust-brown band above the indigo and white tassels at each end.
Ban Lou Weavers, Nam Bak, Laos
Nam Bak is a remote village in northern Laos, where a group of weavers preserve their traditional techniques of weaving cotton stoles and scarves. This small community uses locally grown cotton, hand spun on traditional wooden wheels, and natural dyes sourced from the surrounding land, including:
Indigo, from the Indigofera tinctoria plant, said to symbolise the blue skies over Laos
Earthy browns, from the teak tree
Gold tones, from the jackfruit tree
Reds and pinks, from the sappan tree
Natural tones, from lemongrass
A regal purple, from stick lac, a resin left behind by the lac insect
The dyeing process involves fermenting and boiling the plants in large clay pots, then leaving the cloth to steep.
The driving force behind this cottage industry is Somdeth, a local man who recognised the hardships faced by the weavers in his village. After spending years as a Buddhist monk and later studying English and business management in Luang Prabang, Somdeth returned to Nam Bak in 2018. He set up a workshop to teach spinning, dyeing and weaving, giving the weavers both skills and a livelihood.
Somdeth’s journey has not been without challenges. During the COVID-19 pandemic he lost his shop in Nong Khiaw, the nearest town, but he carried on the community project in Nam Bak, and his dedication has allowed it to continue.
Date: 21st century
Geography: Nam Bak, Laos
Dimensions: 200cm L x 70cm W
Weight: 276g
Material: Hand spun cotton, naturally dyed
Condition: New, see photos
As each stole is hand spun and handwoven, every piece is individual, and small variations or imperfections are part of its handmade character.
For more information
