Unique clothes of the Pa Di
Pa Di is a branch of the Tay ethnic group in the northern province of Lao Cai. There are about 2,000 Pa Di people living mainly in the high mountain communes of Muong Khuong district. Clothes worn by Pa Di women are different from other ethnic groups with their colorful patterns that are closely associated with their habitat of forests and mountains. A prominent accessory worn by the Pa Di is the woman’s hat. It’s said that in the past, Pa Di family members used to live together in a big house. But once the family got bigger and bigger, they had to separate to live in different houses. In order to remember their roots, clan, and parents, Pa Di people wore a hat, representing the house’s roof. Po Xin Phuc of Muong Khuong district, said, “The hat represents the roof of a cozy house. It’s a unique feature of our group.” The hat is woven from flax by Pa Di women. They coat fabric with bees wax and fold it into a hat in the shape of a roof. The circle band around the head is dec