Jakai
A nomadic tribe roaming the areas around present day N-Afghanistan and S-Uzbekistan they were feared as wild with independent spirit bowing to no authority they held a reputation as inveterate warriors caravan robbers but also fine horse breeders and riders.

Now
Lakai people now live in several small kishlaks (villages) in the Kunduz area in present day Afghanistan.

1931
Ibragim Bek and many of his Basmatchi guerillas are seized and executed.

1920's
The Lakai become partisans of Ibragim Bek, one of the leading figures in the Pan-Turkic movement in Central Asia and his fight against the Bolsheviks.

1889
The Lakai have to give in and become agricultural settlers.

1869
The Emir of Bukhara sends a delegation of tax collectors off to the Lakai of which none return home alive. The Emir subsequently spares no effort to set an end to Lakai independence.

16th
Nomadic Kagan tribes, among them the Lakai, migrate from Balkh and Kunduz to the Southern shores of the Amu Darya river.

Following numerous land disputes, the Lokai settle on the right bank of the Amu Darya. Territorial independence, nomadic and semi-nomadic life style.

Traditionally, the embroidery of Central Asia distinguishes itself by its usage of sensual vegetative patterns and stylized ornaments and the flat surf ace of the stitches, Not so the embroidery of the Lakai people. Each piece of embroidery holds a deeply symbolic meaning expressed by shapes such as scorpions, snakes, spiders and insects from the dark, fear inspiring underground world and rams horns from the hills and mountains. Clear, legible lines, dynamic rich colors on a red and less often grey or black surface, strong contrasts, abstract and frequently asymmetric compositions, set the works by Lakai people a part.

The base textile were usually rough homespun cotton or wool and silk nits were used for the embroidery. All pieces served a purpose, be it decorative wall hanging, classically square or diamond shaped, a shepherd's coat, skuII caps, small handbags or the adornments of the shaman, Embroidery was a woman's work and her skills as a keeper of the hearth and home were held in great esteem.