The Ladies of Nong Tao

Nong Tao is a community of about 150 homes in the mountains of northern Thailand. In their farming way of life, the Karen of Nong Tao persevere through hardship, but nonetheless, they see it as vital that they preserve their culture and their way of life. It’s in this context that they strive to find the means to support their children through secondary and post-secondary school.

The Ladies of Nong Tao is a co-operative of seven women, through which they come together to weave, and to sell their products beyond their village and, through Kleo, in Canada.

The products sold by the ‘Ladies of Nong Tao’ are very special. Weavings are made by hand on a back strap loom, a tradition which is passed from mother to daughter. Some designs carry through from generation to generation, and are unique to each family. Others are unique creations, often inspired by patterns found in nature.

Suneesa, a young woman from Nong Tao, studied sewing and design after her time at Jen’s House. In an effort to contribute to her community, she returned to her village, and now plays an important role in the Ladies of Nong Tao co-operative.

Weaving with a backstrap loom

All profits go directly to the women of the co-op, with some money from the sale of each product set aside as an education fund for the children of the village.

In Ottawa, you can find the weavings of the Ladies of Nong Tao here:

Kameleon PopShop
89 Sparks Street (near Metcalfe)
(613) 594-4836

Tickled Pink
55 Byward Market Square
(613) 562-8350

Duong Jai was born in Nong Tao in 1971 and lives with her husband and three children. She graduated from Grade 6 at Nong Tao school and Grade 9 in Mae Win, after which she learned sewing and design at Jam Wah Lai school in Bangkok for three years.

Duong Jai was taught to weave from her mother when she was a young girl. Duong Jai hopes that in the future, the children of Nong Tao will complete University and get good jobs.

Jalu was born in Nong Tao and lives with her husband and four children, ages 20, 16, 14 and 7. Her sister, Lu Paw, and daughter, Suneesa, are members of the weaving co-operative. Jalu attended school in Nong Tao and completed her education up to Grade 3. Needing to take care of her brothers and sisters, she could not continue her schooling beyond the third grade — a common story for Karen women. She currently owns a small shop in Nong Tao, hopes that her daughter Suneesa will return to school to study further, that her other children will attend University.

Lu Paw, sister of Jalu, was born in Nong Tao in 1973 and is a single mother of 2 children, aged 14 to 16. Lu Paw attended school in Nong Tao and completed her education up to Grade 4. Today, she farms for a living and grows flowers. Lu Paw has not had the means to send both her children to school, and hopes that her participation in the co-op will allow one daughter at least to attend University.

Ma Knee was born in Nong Tao in 1979 and lives with her husband and children, who are aged 2, 3 and 9. Ma Knee graduated from Grade 6 at the Nong Tao School, travelled to Mae Win and then to Ban Kad to complete her secondary school studies. She then travelled to the Ma La Refugee camp (near Mae Sariang), where she studied English for 5 months. Ma Knee was 10 years old when she was taught how to weave by her mother. She hopes that her participation in the co-op will allow her children to have good jobs in the future.

Suneesa was born in 1993 in Nong Tao and lives with her mother, father, and 3 siblings. Suneesa completed grade 6 in Nong Tao and with support from Jen’s House graduated grade 9 in Mae Win and completed grade 12 in San Pa Tong. She then studied sewing and design at Marina School for 5 months.  Suneesa made the decision to return to her village to help her community by starting a women’s weaving co-op.

Suneesa started weaving when she was 9 years old. She contributes to the design and sewing of woven products. She hopes that the co-op will allow the women of Nong Tao to earn enough to support their families and their children. She also hopes the project will allow people in the world to learn about Karen culture.

Tamla was born 1973 in Mae Sariang and is the house mother of Jen’s House, a KLEO run program in Thung Siao – Thailand, which provides living and school expenses for Karen children to attend high quality Thai Schools. Her husband and two children, a son and daughter, also live with her at Jen’s House.  Tamla recently went back to school to complete her Grade 12 education. Tamla was taught how to weave by a neighbour when she was a young girl. She hopes her children will attend University and go on to achieve great things.

Wee Lai is the newest member of the “Ladies of Nong Tao”.