The Akha Shoulder bag (paertahq).
One of the few remaining fashion identifiers still commonly worn by Akha men, the Akha shoulder bag is found on men, women and children wherever the Akha live. The bag is made by applying Akha stitchwork patterns onto a simple black fabric bag, usually open-topped. There are minor variations to this design and pattern, but the common theme remains the same.
The Akha shoulder bag is worn as a cultural identifier, as an ornamented fashion statement, and as a common life tool, as evidenced by the well-worn, aged bag shown in this image, which serves as a toolbelt for Ado Za.
(Maesalong, Jan 2010)
