Lu May, Lahu Embroiderer

Thai Tribal Crafts is a fair trade organization that offers development opportunities for the tribal peoples of Northern Thailand. Seven hill tribes are supported through Thai Tribal's work: the Akha, Hmong, Karen, Lahu, Lawa, Lisu and Mien groups. Thai Tribal Crafts also employs women sewers living in Chiang Mai.

Many tribal people live off of their agricultural production, but access to land on which to support their families has become more scarce. The production and sale of handicrafts provides them with a viable alternative, and helps to revive handcraft traditions which otherwise might have been forgotten. Each of the hill tribes has its own unique culture and crafts traditions. Lisu women are known for their tiny embroidery stitches and brightly-colored appliqués; the Karen make musical instruments and ikat weavings; the Hmong use reverse appliqué and produce batiks, decorated with exquisite needlework. Many Lahu women, like LuMay (pictured), are skilled embroiderers, using patchwork and cross-stitch, and learn to weave on a backstrap loom.

SERRV has been working with Thai Tribal Crafts for over 30 years, supporting the livelihood of hill tribe peoples through purchases of their weaving, embroidery and textile products.