Description

Fair Trade pouches – This black and white fair trade pouch is made of Karen traditional woven fabric and produced by fair trade artisans of northern Thailand. This item is ideally for people who love tribal traditional patterns and woven items. Buying this product provides the hill tribe communities with rural employment and support their families.

The Karen are the largest tribal group in Thailand with an estimated 321,000 living in Thailand. There are two major sub-tribes, namely Sgaw Karen and Pwo Karen. Karen women are noted for their ikat (tie-dye) weaving using cotton thread and natural dyes. The weaving is done on a back-strap loom. Karen living in different areas produce their own style of dresses, which give rich variety to handicrafts they produce. Some of them embroider using Job’s tears (seeds) for embellishment. Karen men produce baskets, musical instruments, betel nut boxes and animal bells.