Silk Weavers of Hill Tribe Laos Textiles, Tradition, and Well-Being

Winner, Gold Medal in the Travel Category, 2018 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards

Part travelogue, part silk-weaving primer, this is a tender portrait of an American family’s travels in Laos’s Houaphon Province. As they learn about the ancient silk weaving traditions in the hilltribe community of Xam Tai, they gain an appreciation for the strong sense of well-being in Lao culture. Over the past decade, Hirschstein and Beck have developed deep connections with the villagers of Xam Tai who raise their own fiber from silkworms, dye it using local natural dyes, and weave the patterns of their ancestors into healing cloths, ceremonial textiles, and daily wear.

Joshua Hirschstein operates a private tutoring service and is the cofounder of Above the Fray: Traditional Hilltribe Art. Maren Beck teaches workshops on Lao and Vietnamese textiles throughout the Pacific Northwest and is the cofounder of Above the Fray. They live in Eugene, Oregon. Joe Coca is a diversified photographer with a special focus on handcrafted textiles and artisan goods. He lives in Fort Collins, Colorado.