Women of Laos: Threads That Bind

In Laos, silk weaving is a tradition older than time itself. There are 50 ethnic groups and 100 subgroups, each with their own unique designs. These designs have always been passed down from mother to daughter.

Veomanee Douangdala is the co-founder of Ock Pop Tok, a social enterprise that empowers women through silk weaving and textiles. BangOn Douangdala is a pioneer of the silk weaving business, turning her village into a tourist attraction with her success.

‘Threads That Bind’ is a story about Veomanee and her mother BangOn. We see how a mother’s lessons and values has led to a daughter building on her legacy and transforming an age-old female tradition to impact the women of Laos. ∎