A Yao (Iu Mien) sub-district chief in Houa Khong Province

Photographer

Bowman, James

Date

• January 2, 1973

Summary

• This Yao (Iu Mien) man is the sub-district chief (tasseng) of seven Yao villages in his jurisdiction. He is wearing a homemade beret. Berets were introduced during the French colonial period in Laos. The Yao men wore berets more often as part of their dress than any of the other ethnic groups in Houa Khong. This photograph was taken during the cool month of January in the village of Houei Lai (PC 3982), located at a high elevation west of Muang Meung (LS-93, PC 5292) in Houa Khong Province. In 1972 there were 41 families with 285 people in Houei Lai, with a primary school (grades 1 and 2) of 48 students.