Oma

ABOUT

The Oma are an ethnic group living in the far north of Laos, traditionally in highland areas, practicing swidden agriculture. They are more recent immigrants to Laos – having relocated here in the 19th century. They belong to the Sino-Tibetan ethnolinguistic family, and are often grouped with the Akha peoples, though they themselves do not necessarily identify themselves as Akha. Their languages are not mutually comprehensible, and their traditional clothing is distinct.

The Oma are well known for their graphic black and red applique work, and the silver headdresses and ornamentation women wear. Generally, the blue-black or white heavy cotton they use as a base for their clothing and handicrafts is handwoven and dyed in their community, while the red cloth or embroidery thread applied is bought from traders or the market.

Their embroidery is painstaking and detailed — it is exceedingly slow work to create the even and colourful designs that adorns their clothing and these products.

Learn more about Artisan Intellectual Property Rights through the Oma v. Italian Fashion Brand MaxMara case study.

Meet San Oula & Anle Laochu

They been married for 51 years and they have 8 children together! Anle is wearing the traditional red and black clothing of Oma women. The headscarf is striking — filled with detailed embroidery and appliqué at both ends, it is twisted around her hair and another piece of cloth to create height, then fastened with rattan rings and pins. Tassels and jewellery are hung from the headscarf and loop through her heavy silver earrings. These complicated headdresses are worn all the time, even while sleeping, and only removed once every 4 or 5 days when it’s time to wash their hair and change the scarf. Traditionally, women would begin wearing these after marriage, though there is no taboo against seeing women’s hair. These days, very few young women wear the headscarves on a daily basis.

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