This hat is part of a Yao shaman's garment which also comprises a panelled silk skirt with elaborate embroidery, trouser and a belt to hold the piece together. The hat was made of woven human hair, an ancient practice that continued in China up to the 1950’s. For the Yao's, ancient Taoist rituals are practised together with spirit worship. Yao shamans assist in times of sickness and other crises, by communicating with the spirits.The Mien or Yao as they are often called, probably lived in southern China about 2,000 years ago and are related to the Hmong. They write in Chinese and speak a language derived from the Sino-Tibetan family of languages. The Yao migrated during the mid 19th century from Laos to Thailand.
