Luang Prabang, Laos - 18 August 2011

On 15 September 2011, the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre will open a new exhibition, "From Courtship to Kinship: Wedding Celebrations of Laos' Ethnic Groups". The exhibition will provide a rare insight into the distinct wedding traditions of the Lao people and several of the country's ethnic minorities. It will feature documentary photography of rituals and ceremonies, explanations of the lore and symbolism of wedding customs in Laos, and unusual artefacts, such as the wedding crown of the Kim Di Mun.

This "celestial crown" is from Ban Nam Lue village in Luang Namtha, and entered the TAEC collection in June 2007. It consists of 12 individual pieces, including a wooden box etched with Chinese calligraphy. The central disc-shaped silver piece is adorned with four silver pins with dragon designs from which silver pendants are hung. It is secured to the head of the bride or groom's assistants by a large pin attached to another disc made of silver and human hair. It is then covered with a deep magenta or red silk cloth. Interestingly, three of these crowns are needed for a ceremony, as the groom's assistants will wear them as well. To learn more about the wedding traditions of the Kim Di Mun, please visit the new exhibition!

The purchase of this masterpiece was made possible by a private donation to TAEC. To support our work documenting and promoting the cultural heritage of Laos, please visit our website or e-mail us. Donations from the US can be tax-deductible.

For more details please visit http://www.taeclaos.org/