Lahu hand cuffs, foot cuffs, and neck rings

Lahu hand cuffs, foot cuffs, and neck rings

　　“Hand cuffs,” “foot cuffs,” and “neck rings” are common ornaments among the Lahu people. Worn on the hands, feet, and neck, they are traditional handicrafts of the Lahu.

　　 “Hand cuffs” resemble bracelets and are woven from a type of wild grass to be worn as wrist decorations. Typically, three to five are worn, though some may wear a dozen.

　　　 “Foot cuffs” resemble anklets and are woven from a type of wild grass to be worn as ankle decorations. Typically, three to five are worn, though some may wear a dozen.

　　　　 “Neck rings” resemble silver necklaces and are woven from a type of wild grass to be worn as neck decorations. Typically, three to five are worn, though some may wear a dozen.

　　　 The making of “hand cuffs,” “foot cuffs,” and “neck rings” involves first collecting the wild grass used in their production from the fields and drying it, then weaving them by hand. The weaving is generally done by women, and these items are also mainly worn by women, although men sometimes wear them too, but rarely.

　　　　 In Lahu marriage customs, on the second day of the wedding, the groom is expected to weave twenty-four hand cuffs for the bride using grass and personally place them on her wrists as a symbol of his love.