Embroidered clothing is an essential part of the Yao identity. Women embroider colourful geometric patterns on their garments and accessories. Yao women keep silver jewellery and money in strapless, square embroidered or appliquéd pouches like this piece. Usually mde of silk, they feature cross and grid stiches.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
