'Lomi Akha Bride'

Tradition colors the costume of this young Lomi Akha bride with rich, festive elegance. She wears an embroidered cotton jacket and elaborate headdress, which includes a cap featuring large studs, silver balls and pendants cast of shiny silver. Akha Jim captures her graceful poise as she stands with a bowl of rice. According to Lomi Akha customs, it symbolizes fertility, and the possibility of being able to provide for her family. The Lomi Akha hill tribe originates from Mongolia and migrated to southern China and Thailand. Color photograph on Kodak digital photo paper. Features a card paper mat and kapok wood frame with a protective glass pane.