The archaeologist, picking over the dust of the past, will unearth few items to help him reconstruct a history of the Laotian hill tribes. Here there are no monuments to cultures or civilizations past: no temples, stupas, ancestral halls, foundations of lost villages or images of deities carved into impossibly steep rock faces to mark the passage of time.

Material culture, whether in the shape of textiles, jewelry, ornamentation or other treasures of family or village, has not so much vanished as been folded up, placed in rattan baskets or protective cloth, and carried to the next place of abode. This portable form of culture has been essential to a semimigratory way of life.

Laotian tribes are often associated with specific skills that confer reputation and the esteem of other minorities. Accordingly, the Suay are regarded as the best elephant handlers in Laos, while Kaw women are known for their dexterity at sewing fishing bags from hemp. Crafts are similarly identified with particular groups. The Lahu are admired for their fine basketry, the Mien as accomplished silversmiths and paper-makers, while the Htin show great ingenuity in the designs and patterns they create by interweaving and manipulating bamboo.