Life style : Lahu Dress

In the past, Lahu people weave their own clothes. But nowadays, there are few people who weave by their own. Weaving is only used for tiny accessories such as bag or satchel-sash. Black or blue clothes which decorate with colorful decorative cloth identifies the group of Lahus but the women share the same style of skirt. Dark Lahu women wear two shirt; the first is worn inside, it is waist-length shirt. The second shirt is calf-length long-sleeve shirt wearing outside. The shirt is garnished with colorful cloth and silverware. For Lahu men, they have the same pattern way of dress no matter which group they are. The shirt and trousers are black. The tip of the trousers, sleeves and some parts of shirt are overlapped by colorful stripes but have not much design like women’s. Lahu men wear the stocking while the women do not.

	Women Dressing Lahu women wear long-sleeve shirt and ankle-length skirt. The clothes are decorated with colorful strips and small aluminium balls weaving with the shirt. In addition, the shirt has beautiful patterns in various styles which stick in the front and back.

Men Dressing Lahu men wear black long-sleeve shirt which adorned with silver balls and nice embroidered designs. The pants are black, green, and blue which are hand-weaving neatly.

Ornaments
Ornaments are the important things for Lahu. It also show Lahu’s identity and beauty.

Earring
• Necklace
• Belt
• Silver Bracelet
• Small aluminium or silver balls.

Lahu Dressing in Ceremony Period

Lahu in the past always wore their own traditional clothes in the ceremony. But at present, wearing the traditional dress is rare to find because of the influence of modern society. People like to put on fashionable clothes suac as jeans because it is easy to buy in general shops. Furthermore, another reason why wearing traditional clothes is seldom seen is outside society does not accept. The hilltribes people are regarded as a monster or alien, so it makes the new generations feel too ashamed to wear their traditional dress. Some people have their suitable own judgement on wearing traditional dress: when they should wear and when they should not. The aged want to tell their descendants to keep their culture by putting on the traditional clothes to make their custom precious.
“I want Lahus realize on the value of traditional dressing which fulls of beauties and are proud of their culture”.

http://lahu.hilltribe.org/english/