Woman's shoulder bag of embroidered cotton, Shan State, Burma, late 19th century

Woman's shoulder bag formed from one length of cloth folded in half and stitched to a second length forming the sides with a fringe and carrying strap. The fold forms the pocket of the bag. Of coarse cotton cloth, with applied cotton strips, and a fringe of coloured cotton threads at each side

The applied pattern is in blue, yellow, red, green and white on a dark-blue ground and consists of checks, stripes and indentations. The carrying-strap is finely striped in red, yellow, white and black.

Acquired from Lady Scott - wife of Sir James George Scott - the great late 19th early 20th century English explorer, administrator and writer on Burma.

A shoulder bag worn by a woman of the Lahu/Muhso ethnic group of the Shan States south east Burma. Of coarse dark blue cotton with applied geometric patterns in various colours.

The Lahus or Muhso/Muser are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic family who probably originated in Tibet and are found in the rugged Shan hills around Kengtung in south east Burma. A tribal people controlled by village chiefs assisted by the priest-shaman. The name Muhso/Muser means "hunter" and suggests their skill in the chase. The Lahus are divided into a number of related sub-groups, including the Black Lahu and the Red Lahu. They are great weavers and are famed for their intricate basketwork. Practicing slash and burn agriculture the Lahus cultivate rice, and chilli and opium, which they smoke themselves or sell as a cash crop.

To complete her costume the Lahu woman using this shoulder bag would have worn a long coat (see IM 145-1929) over either a pair of pants or a sarong together with a black turban.

IM.146-1929