When we were researching with Elli last summer we met quite a few shamans and witnessed different ceremonies and blessings. Here, the shaman is performing a ceremony to bless a new house and rid it of all its bad luck and clear the way for good luck in the future. Part of a ceremony is often a display of "power" and in the video toward the end you will see the shaman balance a long candle on top of a knife he sets in a small bowl of rice. Pretty impressive!
As we've mentioned in other posts we are very excited to announce that we will now be carrying Carol Cassidy’s Weaves of Cambodia Rainbow Silk Scarves. If there is anyone is who synonymous with the best in Lao textiles it’s Carol Cassidy. Just type in “Lao textiles” in Google and see who is the first person/business listed. Laotextiles.com is Carol Cassidy, and her gallery in Vientiane is always a must see for anyone interested in Lao textiles.
We’ve
known Carol now for about ten years and although these gorgeous silk
scarves are woven in Cambodia, not Laos, all the principles we value
with Laos Essential Artistry are more than upheld in the weaving and finishing of these beautiful silk scarves.
When we were in Laos in June we shot some video of Carol explaining how patterns are created on the loom, which a skilled weaver then weaves into her fabric. It seems so complex that it appears magical to watch a weaver at the loom as she weaves these incredible patterns into a textile. It's not an easy process to understand, but we think if anyone can demystify the complexity of the techniques used, it's Carol. And in fact watching this seven minute video we think will give viewers an even greater appreciation for the artistry of Lao weavers.
We encourage anyone traveling to Laos and Vientiane to visit Lao Textiles: Carol Cassidy. It's in an amazing old French Colonial Building and be sure to ask to walk out back and see all the weavers at their looms. It's an intoxicating experience!
We always stay at the Vayakorn Guest House when we're in Vientiane and it's across the street from Carol's Gallery and the photo below is taken from our room on the third floor. Her gallery includes the old French Colonial and the buildings to the right and behind it.The second photo shows a street view of Carol's Gallery.
This is a SLOW video. Have you heard of the Slow Food Movement? I
mean... that kind of slow. The kind of video that is just like being
there. Sitting quietly, observing, absorbing the weaving life of these
Tai Daeng women. But, they're not weaving here. They are involved in
wrapping silk threads to create ikat patterns and also removing the
plastic wrapped threads after the silk has been dyed. It's a slow,
pain-staking process, but like much of the work in Laos, it's buffered
by the chance for conversation. People don't realize how much work goes
into the creation of ikat textiles, whether they be scarves or sinhs.
There's the initial process of tie-dying the silk and then the actual
weaving. This video lets you feel like you're there, sitting with the
women. We have some beautiful ikat textiles that are a tremendous bargain considering the artistry and time it takes both to create the ikat and weave the textiles. Check out our Ikat Sinhs and our exclusive Silk Ikat Display Textiles
As we write in our Laos Essential Artistry website, under the section Nongbouatong, most of the families are Tai Daeng and almost all of the weaving being done is by Tai Daeng Weavers. This weaver was quite good, and watching her you can begin to understand the how talented the weavers must be to create a quality textile, like our Tai Daeng Silk Ceremonial Cloths.
The Lao word in the center of the heart above translates literally as nam jhai, "water" "heart". An act of nam jhai, of water flowing from the heart, is an act of kindness, an opening of the heart. A quality highly respected by the Lao and Thai people.
