Laos is filled with thousands of beautiful textiles. Each ethnic group has their own unique patterns, the ways of weaving and colors. The ODOP movement in Laos has important meaning for protecting those tradition as well as improving their income. The following articles are the example cases of ODOP movement in Laos.
VIENGKEO VILLAGE OF HONGSA DISTRICT (XAYABOURY PROVINCE)
Viengkeo Village is famous for natural indigo cotton products. Those who live in this village are Tai Lue tribe. Using natural material and producing by hand are their tradition. The first time that JICA volunteer visited to support their development as “ODOP Project” is 2015. However the producer in Viengkeo village refused JICA volunteer’s support because they didn’t want to do new difficult challenge even though they wanted to improve their economical situation. In the way of “ODOP project”, they gradually change their thought. When they managed to make new designed products and met many customer’s eye, they were becoming to think that you can get great happiness when you hear customer saying “beautiful”, “cute”, and “cool”, seeing their traditional products. Now they think that they would like to know the products filled with Tai Lue tribe’s tradition.
In 2017, their products are registered as “ODOP”. They said “Thanks to ODOP Project supported by JICA, we found that it is very interesting to try to do new challenge.” Currently they got price of a contest in “Lao Handicraft Festival 2018” and attended “International Gift Show 2019” in February.2019 in Japan. In the exhibition, they got inquiry from Japanese companies, and they are struggling to get a customer in Japan for the first time.
CHENGSAVANG VILLAGE, KHAMKEUD DISTRICT (LAKSAO), BOLIKHAMXAY PROVINCE
In Laksao area of Bolikhamxay Province, Moei ethnic group has their own colorful pattern, which uses ikat technique. They used to weave the textiles only for Sinh (traditional Lao skirt) and sold only in local market. Their income from the textiles was not enough for their life because the price of textiles in Laos is much cheaper. It meant their hard work for weaving doesn’t pay. In 2018, JICA Volunteer has started to support them as “ODOP Project”to provide technique and design for making new kind of products such as coaster, bag etc to meet the demand for new customers like tourists from other countries.
The manufacturers had no idea to make other product from textile for Sinh, but they gradually understand what kind of things foreigners like, and why they should try to improve the quality of the products. They have started to find some places to sell their products. They have the goal to sell their products in more places for many people to know their tradition, and to improve their life. Ms. Chap, who is the leader of the group said, “We enjoy trying to do new things because we have a goal. And we are proud of our own textiles, so feel glad that ODOP Project offers many people the opportunity to know our products.”
Their challenge has just started.
