The lecture 'Threads of Society in Laos' will be given by Linda S. McIntosh, PhD, on Tuesday 16th July, from 14.30 - 15.30.Location: TRC, Hogewoerd 164.

Handwoven cloth continues to serve important roles in culturally diverse Laos. The population of this mainland Southeast Asian country consists of less than eight million persons, consisting of fifty officially-recognised ethnic groups and hundreds of subgroups and other cultures. Women are the primary producers of handwoven cloth, and weaving served as an outlet for their skills and creativity and a reflection of their characteristics in the past. Presently, commercial production allows women to earn an income, and textiles of Laos are renowned internationally for their complexity and beauty.

This presentation will be a survey of handwoven textiles produced by Lao’s diverse population, illustrated with field research photographs and images of textiles. I will also discuss materials, techniques, motifs, and roles of textiles in several cultures. Lastly, the current state of handwoven textile production and the roles of textiles and national identity markers will be addressed.

Participants of the International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS) have free entry; others pay 5 euro. For both groups: please register in advance: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..