Video Screening | Respecting Traditional Knowledge: What Happened with the Oma of Laos? 

TAEC is proud to take part in the FILMS AROUND TOWN category during the Blue Chair Film Festival (formerly known as the Luang Prabang Film Festival). Stop by TAEC Museum to view an insightful project video documenting the pursuit of justice and protection of cultural intellectual property rights for the Oma in Laos. The twenty-minute video will loop continuously during the museum opening hours of 09:00 – 18:00 (last showing 17:30). 

Showing at TAEC: Respecting Traditional Knowledge: What Happened with the Oma of Laos? 

Summary: The misappropriation of traditional textile designs has become commonplace, but still hotly debated. Who has the rights to use traditional designs? When is it appropriation? What can be done to fix it? These films introduce the Oma ethnic group of Laos who were plagiarised by an Italian fashion brand, and the efforts in Laos to protect this knowledge. 

Meet the Oma. A small ethnic group living in the highlands of northern Laos. Their exquisite textiles and distinctive motifs compose not only their identity and cultural heritage, but also generations of traditional knowledge. It is in these motifs, their combinations, and their placement, that make this traditional clothing unique to the Oma community. 

To learn more about this project and Artisan IP Rights, visit our resource page at www.taeclaos.org/oma.

Director: Anysay Keola/Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre

Length: 21:39

Scan the festival QR code for more info about the many exciting films featured during the festival.