Textiles of the Highland Peoples of Burma. Volume II. The Northern Mon-Khmer, Rawang, Upland Burmish, Lolo, Karen, Tai, and Hmong-Mien-Speaking Groups (Studies in the Material Cultures of Southeast Asia, No. 8)

Bangkok: White Lotus Co Ltd. 2007. Trade paperback. Fine.. 371 p., illustrations, bibliography, index. . This book focuses on the highland peoples of Burma who speak Northern Mon-Khmer, Rawang, Upland Burmish, Lolo, Karen, Tai, and Hmong-Mien languages. These include the Palaung, Wa, Rawang, Lisu, Akha, Karen, Tai (Shan), and Hmong. It examines textile traditions that have disappeared as well as the textiles that are being woven today by these groups. The book provides background on the history and cultures of these peoples and a extensive survey of their textiles based on numerous field studies by the author as well examination of museum collections and the existing literature. In addition to dozens of black and white photographs and maps, there are color plates with over 200 photographs. The two volumes of "Textiles of the Highland Peoples of Burma" are essential reading for anyone interested in the textiles of Burma and Southeast Asia in general. Their text and color photographs provide a unique comprehensive survey of the textiles of the peoples of highland Burma. Volume I focuses on the speakers of Tibeto-Burman languages that are classified as Baric. These include numerous groups of Naga and Chin as well as the Mru, Jingpho, Kado, Riang, and Meithei. The majority of these people live in the western highlands of Burma as well as in neighboring areas of Bangladesh and India. It too presents background on these peoples, a thorough survey of their textiles, dozens of black and white photographs, maps, and 96 plates with 264 color photographs.