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August 2015

Sabaidee! From the misty, rainy season in Luang Prabang, we bring you highlights of our recent activities celebrating and preserving the cultural diversity of Laos.

Read more below:

Summer Outreach Brings New Experiences to Local Youth
Our Visit to a Kassak Village
Identifying Lao Objects in the Collection Room at AMNH
The International Folk Art Market 2015 in Santa Fe
Our Special Hours in September

Summer Outreach Brings New Experiences to Local Youth

On the first day of Summer Outreach 2015, ten children from Luang Prabang town and ten children from nearby Hmong and Kmhmu villages met each other, made new friends, and started an adventure of new experiences. Offered at no cost to the children, this three day programme included visits to TAEC and the National Museum, learning about Lao weaving and natural dyes at the Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Center, a visit to Ban Chan pottery village, and a morning at the Living Land organic farm.

View our photo album on Facebook for more photos of the fun-filled days of Summer Outreach 2015.

Donations made through GlobalGiving and GlobalGiving UK support the educational activities of TAEC including transportation, lunch and supplies for Summer Outreach. Thank you to all our supporters for providing a memorable and educational experience for children in Laos!

Our Visit to a Kassak Village

In July, two TAEC staff visited the remote village of Ban Kuchaluang, in the hills surrounding Luang Prabang. We met with the village chief and three elders to learn more about the Kassak people and the lives of approximately 50 families who live in the village. Farmers of sticky rice, they also grow sesame seeds and corn, and collect forest products to sell in Luang Prabang.

Historically, the Kassak held a more privileged status in society and played an important role in Pi Mai (New Year) celebrations in Luang Prabang. Today, while they still maintain a strong ethnic identity, much of their material culture such as distinct clothing has been lost.

In cooperation with Fair Trek, this fall TAEC will provide a more in-depth introduction to the Kassak people for international students who volunteer in the village. Since 2014, Fair Trek has worked with the Ban Kuchaluang on community projects including building a new primary school for the youngest students (Years One and Two).

We look forward to learning and sharing more about the Kassak people in Laos.

Identifying Lao Objects in the Collection Room at AMNH

During his recent internship at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York City, Ton, TAEC Collections Manager, researched and helped to identify Lao textiles. AMNH has 168 items from Laos in their collection and Ton made identifications for more than 80 textile items. Working closely with Scientific Assistant, Mary Lou Murillo, Ton identified clothes, basketry, and textiles of Hmong, Yao Mien, Tai Lao, Tai Lue and Tai Dam objects made of silk, cotton, bamboo, wool and rattan. Based on his first-hand knowledge of Lao ethnic groups, materials, and techniques, Ton could make some identifications on his own. He also learned to use magnification and polarized light to assure accurate identification of material.

View the Behind the Scenes Video with Ton to see Lao Textiles at AMNH

The International Folk Art Market 2015 in Santa Fe

For the fourth year, TAEC joined artists from around the world at the International Folk Art Market in Santa Fe. Nearly 19,000 visitors to the Market made the event a success for 173 master artists and cooperatives from 57 countries. Generating nearly $3 million in sales over three days, the Market has a positive impact for the lives of folk artists around the world. For TAEC artisan producers, the sales provide much needed income to Katu, Kmhmu, Phoutai, Tai Lue, and Yao Mien villages in Laos.

Save the Dates for the next International Folk Art Market!

8 – 10 July 2016

Read more and see portraits of artisans at the 2015 IFAM.

Our Special Hours in September

Boat Racing Festival in Luang Prabang

11 and 12 September

TAEC will be closed.

TAEC Boutique will be open from 5 PM – 9 PM.

Annual Maintenance at TAEC

13 – 21 September

TAEC will be closed.

TAEC Boutique will be open daily 9 AM – 9 PM.

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Our mailing address is:

Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre

PO Box 222

Ban Khamyong

Luang Prabang, Lao PDR

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