Weavers in Laos Aim to Share Their Culture with Textiles

A group of 8 weavers from Laos are working hard to fulfill their textile dreams this year. The weavers are part of Ock Pop Tok in Luang Prabang, Laos, a team that works to shed light on Lao textiles and artists while increasing economic opportunity for artists and encouraging textile collaboration in Laos and worldwide.

The group is also a strong proponent of women’s empowerment, as women are the movers and shakers behind Ock Pop Tok and the Laotian handicraft industry. The members of Ock Pop Tok unite in a common passion for textiles and for sharing culture globally.

Members of Ock Pop Tok pose at the International Folk Art Market in Santa Fe, which the group has attended for the past 9 years. Photo by Ock Pop Tok.

Because of their drive to share and experience culture and because it is so important to them to be part of the global artisan textile movement, they are raising funds to fly to Peru to attend Tinkuy, an international assembly of weavers sponsored by the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco, in November.

In 2013, Ock Pop Tok raised money to send member Mone Jouymany to Cusco for Tinkuy, but she was turned away when she arrived in Peru due to a mishap with her paperwork. This year, however, the 8 members aiming to get to Peru are fully prepared and working hard to raise travel funds, making prayer flags, dream catchers, and special textiles for a photo exhibit in Luang Prabang.

For information on Ock Pop Tok and donating to their travels, see ClothRoads’ article about Ock Pop Tok and their journey.

—Jenna