The Hmong Du

📍Houaphanh / Xieng Khouang Provinces, north-eastern Lao PDR

The Hmong Du (sometimes known as Black Hmong) reside primarily in Houaphanh and Xieng Khouang Provinces, in north-eastern Laos.

Historically, Hmong families had few material possessions due to their semi-nomadic lifestyle. Her clothing was the only thing a woman would have taken when she married and moved away from her home village.  It was therefore her identity; indicating ethnicity, displaying wealth and advertising the wifely credentials of creativity, patience and diligence. 

The necklace has three sao or ‘locks’, symbolising locking the soul in the body.  Traditionally made of silver, nowadays, few families can afford them and it’s more common to see aluminium. 

Photo credits:

Courteys of Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre