ABOUT

The newest artisans in TAEC’s product offering, the Kriang, or Nge, are a small ethnic group living in southern Laos, primarily Sekong Province. They are part of the Austroasiatic ethnolinguistic family, and their language is related to that of the Arak and Katu. The Nge are known for their skilled weaving on backstrap looms. Inspiration is everywhere for Kriang artisans, producing textiles that feature animal, human, and even airplane motifs (ubiquitous during the Vietnam War). They also use natural dyes for their weaving, colours derived from tree bark and fruit peels.

 

Meet Phan

Phan is from the Kriang (or Nge) ethnic group and has been weaving for over 20 years! We met Phan in late 2016 as part of our first artisan residency at TAEC (after meeting this lesser-known artisan group earlier that year). Since the residency, our collaborations with Phan and the group continue to grow!

Ms. Phan recalls her time with us, “I was excited to have the opportunity to come to Luang Prabang to create new designs and share our weaving culture with others. I was also happy to see beautiful Mount Phou Si and Kuang Si waterfall.”

Shop Kriang

Tags: Backstrap Loom / Kriang / Natural Dyes