Ma Te Sai: From Their Village to Ours

Metal belts from the Akha tribe. Pillowcases from the Tai Lue tribe. Recycled frames from the Women’s Disabled Centre. All sold in a small, unassuming gift shop.

Ma Te Sai is a social enterprise that sells handicrafts and homewares representing artisans from all over Laos, even the most rural areas. With night markets selling mass produced goods, Ma Te Sai has taken it upon themselves to ensure the culture of these artisans live on in their products.

‘From Their Village to Ours’ is a short documentary on the workings of Ma Te Sai and the anecdotes of founder Emi Weir. From working with rural villages to disappearing identities in night market products, we also see their journey to spread Lao culture here in Singapore. ∎