HANDICRAFTS

SILVER CRAFTS

Most of the engraved carvings are pictures of religion, Naga and 12 different kinds of animals. It is not an easy task to finish such an item, it takes time, precision and concentration, before all the silver must be flattened out then engraved. The first step in producing this type of handicraft is to flatten out this silver. The hands along with skilled experience are used o feel for the appropriate thickness in the silver sheet. And using only the sight of the eyes to decide that the beauty in each item has been achieved. this is what makes his handicrafts become not only just another product but also an art of the hands with unique qualities inevitable for anyone to match. Many people both local and foreign are interested in distributing his products, but his souvenirs are very limited. Therefore anyone wanting to be an owner of his handicrafts must purchase it at the only shop found nowhere else but in LuangPhrabang.

TIPKAO

It can be observed that only Lao people weave the basket of sticky rice.The basket is to Lao in the world. Sticky rice is the main food for Lao.The ware that they used to contain their rice after steaming is called Tipkao, Elpkao or Kongkao.Lao man have to be skillful in farming, make bamboo strips, fishing net and other works, while the women should be skillful in cotton spinning, textile weaving, silkworm raising, cooking and poultry-raising.Bamboo strips are made from the bamboo trees, namely : Maibong, Mailai, Maisand, Maihai and Maithae.

The strips made by the above bamboo or wood are very durable, easy to weave.Other types of wood are broken easily and not durable.    After the bamboo is selected,it is warmed a few minutes on the fire and then chopped into very thin strips. After thet dry them under the sun.If we need to colour them, we should dye them, fry under the sun, then weave the basket as designed. For weaving, first, we should design a pattern, then weave according to the structure and pattern.The amount of the strips prepares are related to the size of the basket of rice. The short one can be used for the small one and the long one used for the big one.The edge of the strip should leave in the inner part in order to hide the joint. It requires a high skill level to avoid seeing the joint in the basket. If the strips are not soft enough, we have to water them a little.If the strips are too dry, it will be broken easily.