Introducing another type of Hmong!
I shall try my best-est to keep this shorter than previous hill tribe posts. And believe me, there will definitely not just be one post about this type'ov Hmong. You will see why...
All tribes are so beautiful in their own unique way, though the Flower Hmong steal the show due to their very eye catching outfits that present an extreme amount of colours that promenade the Vietnamese mountains
This tribe is mainly prevalent in the north eastern area - largely Bắc Hà of the Lào Cai and around. This tribe generally come out to play on their market days. Keep an eye out!
Costumes: Focusing on the women (since the women are usually the ones that steal the show!), they are highly distinguished ornate in their colourful overflowing gowns. Their outfits are made up of the following:
. Headscarf or Head Ornament - be it colourful of any kind. Though this is usually weather dependent.. i.e. when it's chilly! Ornaments can be beaded.
. Shoulder Cloaks - As they wrap around the neck, they are buttoned with 'Chinese styled buttons' in an asymmetric Chinese manner. Decorative, hand stitched (with a machine, perhaps) and exceptionally colourful. These cloaks may also be attached to a colourful long-sleeved top worn below the cloak. Colourful and intricate beading may also be added to the bottom ends of the cloak or within the fabric.
. Arm Warmers - Usually developed from the same material and patterns as the Shoulder Cloak, these are used for decorative purposes and to keep warm. These may also be attached to the long-sleeved top in their stripy horizontal style.
. Skirt - The infamous Flower Hmong Skirt! Traditional skirts are hand stitched in the same fabric as the Shoulder lock and Arm Warmers. The fabric is heavy, wide and is gathered in multiple layers - which offers a puffed and generous look, along with its intricate colours stitched in a horizontal style. New styled skirts, which are lighter are printed using batik printing.
. Apron - A waist apron is worn, again, in the heavy weighted fabric, this time, with a vertical stripy pattern to contrast the horizontal skirt lines. This may assist with warmth, to wash hands and generally for decorative purposes. It is tied up at the back of the lady.
. Leg Warmers - Again, the same material might be used and the horizontal pattern is used.
. Shoes- Shoes are the obvious plastic sandals, frequently imported from neighbouring China. Used for trekking, rice paddy fielding, farming....everything a Flower Hmong can do!
. Baby Carrier- These are very popular and are usually a customised form of the apron. The stripes are to be vertical and colourful!
Colours The key word here is bright. It's important to use bright attentive colours, such as reds, pinks, oranges, purples, blues.. with traces of lighter colours - green, yellow, greens... beauty! A reminder that this only apples to the women.
That's all for the Flower Hmongs. They are absolutely wonderful. The photos will aid this post more than the text I reckon! See next posts for more information. Thanks x
