HANDICRAFTS AND LIVELIHOODS

Rural ethnic minority communities are the poorest sector of the Lao population. Recognising the unique obligations of a museum representing and working with these communities, TAEC runs an innovative livelihood development programme based on traditional handicraft skills. The overwhelming majority of handicraft producers in the programme (over 600!) are ethnic minority women, who studies have shown spend their income on their family’s food, health, and education needs.

In addition to the obvious benefits of extra income, the programme also fulfils TAEC’s broader mission of promoting appreciation and investment in ethnic minority cultures and traditional arts. By increasing the commercial viability of these crafts, as well as recognising them as vital expressions of identity and culture, traditional handicraft skills can be revitalised for the contemporary world.