Silk Weavers of Hill Tribe Laos: Textiles, Tradition, and Well-Being

By: Joshua Hirschstein and Maren Beck

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Synopsis: Winner, Gold Medal in the Travel Category, 2018 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards Part travelogue, part silk-weaving primer, this is a tender portrait of an American family's travels in Laos's Houaphon Province. As they learn about the ancient silk weaving traditions in the hilltribe community of Xam Tai, they gain an appreciation for the strong sense of well-being in Lao culture. Over the past decade, Hirschstein and Beck have developed deep connections with the villagers of Xam Tai who raise their own fiber from silkworms, dye it using local natural dyes, and weave the patterns of their ancestors into healing cloths, ceremonial textiles, and daily wear.