Covered Box

This basket is made by the Lahu. A variety of storage vessels like this container, made from woven bamboo and rattan are used by highland communities in northern Thailand. The communities include ethnic minority groups - the Karen, Akha, Lisu, Lahu, Hmong, and Yao, who migrated into northern Thailand from the neighbouring regions during the 18th and 19th centuries. The terms 'highlanders', 'hilltribes' or chao khao ('mountain people') as they are referred to in Thai, are no longer very accurate as many also now live in lowland regions.