Hmong women wear aprons over the front of their skirts, usually black for daily wear. Blue Hmong women wear an apron over the front of the skrit while the White Hmong wear them at the back too. For festivities, the aprons are elaborately embroidered with appliquéd designs and tied with colourful sashes with long tassels like this piece. The x-motif, also found on Hmong silver jewellery, is thought to provide protection against evil spirits.The Hmong were originally highlanders from southern China, who migrated into Northern Thailand from Laos and Vietnam during the 18th and 19th centuries. They consist of two main groups - the Hmong Deaw (White Hmong) and the 'Mong Njua' (Blue Hmong).
