Descriptions

The front of this indigo coloured jacket is waist length and the back is full length. The jacket has alternating yellow and red panelling down the front and along the back hem. The sleeves and collar are edged with red lengths of cloth. As the donor information is unavailable for this jacket, details of its exact provenance are unknown. However, research indicates that this type of jacket is part of an outfit worn by the Lisu women, (Kachin state) for special occasions and weddings. It is worn in association with items
106/2000/5, 106/2000/6, 106/2000/4/1-2 and 106/2000/2.

A modern version of this traditional outfit was commissioned in 2001 on behalf of the James Green Charitable Trust, Brighton, and made by Hkaw Ma Sar and Hkaw Ma Le, in
Myitkyina, Kachin State. It incorporates the indigo jacket with yellow and red
panelling. Whilst researching material at the V & A Museum, London, a reproduction postcard was found documenting the front and side view of two Yawyin or Lissyu (Lisu)
women wearing gala attire. Although the postcard is in black and white, the different textile components of the Lisu outfit can be clearly seen.

Further photographic material documenting ethnographic evidence of these textiles is observed by Diran in his publication, ‘The Vanishing Tribes of Burma’ where photographs of the outfits were taken during New Year Celebrations, ‘when village girls wear their finest costumes and jewellery to catch the eye of potential husbands’ (1997:64). The jacket when worn together with the headcloth, apron, belt and leggings, form an original outfit that is significant in terms of Burmese textile collections.

This object is not on display.