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The Lahu People
Bamboo Basket Weaving
Hilltribe Visitor Etiquette
It is kind, but not necessary, to give gifts to the peoples you visit. Some suggestions or alternatives to sweets and cigarettes are - balloons and other inexpensive toys, cosmetics, medical supplies antiseptic, mild painkillers such as aspirin, food, fruit, clothing, sewing supplies and foreign coins.

Follow the advice of your guide, don't be afraid to ask questions. Respect the fact that you are a guest visiting the homes and villages of these people. By showing them that you are genuinely interested in them, your friendliness, sincerity and goodwill are the most precious gifts you can offer.

simply-thai.com - thai market - Destination Guides - Hilltribe People - Image Pages - The Lahu People - Bamboo Basket Weaving - The Lahu people are to be found in the mountains of China, Myanmar (Burma), Laos and northern Thailand. There are approximately 25,000 Lahu's now living in Thailand. There are four tribes within the Lahu: Black, Red, Yellow and She-Leh. Lahu villages are mostly at high altitude in the northern provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Sorn. Traditionally the Lahu Shi, or Yellow Lahu division of the Lahu people makes the bamboo baskets. Nowadays other sub-groups are involved in the production as well.

Traditionally the Lahu Shi, or Yellow Lahu division of the Lahu people makes the bamboo baskets. Nowadays other sub-groups are involved in the production as well.
In the production of bamboo baskets both sexes are involved in distinct parts of the work. The men will go into the forest and cut the stalks of bamboo. Harvested bamboo groves will grow back in a matter of months, so resources are not depleted.

The stalks have a diameter of 15 - 20 cm. These stalks will then be cut into shorter segments, to suit a certain type of basket. After the stalk segment has its hard outer layer removed and is lengthwise cut into narrow strips, like one would cut a cake. To achieve very fine weaves these strips can be split again. All cutting is done with a large machete.
The women will dry the bamboo strips in the sun over racks. When the strips have matured they will be woven into baskets, usually by the women. Although now the production is more market driven men are involved in the weaving too, particularly of the large models.
When the basic basket is finished the applying of the rattan trim and hinges is a real men's job. The rattan is tough and requires a lot of manual force.

To preserve the basket from rotting quickly and wood boring insects the finished basket will first be dyed in a hot dye which is made out of plant materials. This dye functions as a natural insect repellent and it colours the basket brown. The colour can vary from a very reddish brown to almost black, depending on added chemicals, which are kept a trade secret by the families who do the curing.
After drying in the sun the dyed basket will be placed in a large oven, similar to a fish smoking oven. There it will be smoked and dried over a smouldering fire for at least 24 hours. Bamboo baskets burn very easily, so this is a very critical part of the process. The smoke and the heat will kill of remaining parasites and/or their eggs. The drying of the bamboo also hardens it and makes it less penetrable by new parasites and reduces the chance of moulding.
Finally loose hairs and fibres are burnt of with a gas torch and the finished basket is polished shiny with wax. Another piece of craftsmanship ready for sale.

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