Description

Fair Trade accessories – this Akha large purse is made of Akha traditional hand embroidery and patch work by Akha hill tribe of northern Thailand. Buying this product provides the hill tribe communities with rural employment and support their families.

There are approximately 80,000 Akha living in Thailand. Akha people are found in the mountains of China, Myanmar, Laos, and northern Thailand. The women spin cotton into thread with a hand spindle, as well as weave using a foot-treadle loom. The cloth is dyed with indigo and sown into clothing for their families. The somber blue-black clothing is brightened with embroidery, applique, seeds, silver ornaments, coins, shells, brightly dyed chicken feathers and bright green beetle wings. Akha men make many kinds of baskets, musical instruments and crossbows.