Hmong Culture 101
Chee Lor
Quick recap of history
-
Nomadic group, an ethnic group
live in the hills and mountains south of China
i.e provinces of Guizhou, Hunan, Yunan, Sichuan etc
Fled China in 1700 from the Qing dynasty
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAQeEQPI9oM
Today
- Settlement across the globe
- Largest concentration in: CA & MN
- other countries with close ties: Thailand,
Laos, Vietnam, China and France
Language
- We speak Hmong
- There are two major dialects: Green & White
- Difference in verbal and written
nam vs. niam
sab vs. siab
dlej vs. dej
choj vs. pam
Religion
Shamanism
“ Traditionally a form of Animism or the belief in the spirit world and the
interconnectedness of all living things. The shaman or txiv neeb (father of
spirits) take on the role of connecting and communicating to spirits in the
spirit realm when a person is sick, depressed or lost due to the imbalance
of one or more souls. The human body is a host for many souls, an
isolated or separated soul may even lead to death and therefore soul
calling rituals and healing practices are a must in order to keep the integrity
of life in balance.”
Practice
Shaman is a person chosen by the spirits
as a medium to communicate with spirits, travel to the spirit
realm, heal souls and give blessings.
- spirit/ soul calling (Hu plig)
- Ua Neeb (Shamans are called upon to see how a spirit
is doing, travels to the spirit realm and get answers, this
is usually done when someone is sick, newborn,
encountered something to have shaken up their spirit)
Ua Neeb
Hu Plig
Khi tes, a healing
ritual in which
white yarn are tied
to the hand of the
person whose
spirit is being
called. This will
help ensure their
souls are bounded
as one and the
person is not sick.
Practice (continued…)
- Alters: eggs, rice, water to feed the spirits, incense
to burn and call spirits
- Tools: gong to help send shaman into a trance, buffalo
horns to communicate w/ the spirit, a blindfold to
help keep shaman in the trance and more
depending on the different type of “NEEB” the family
is doing.
Animals
- given as sacrificial offerings
- souls of animals connected
to humans
- a communion meal is
usually prepped
- communal sharing of a life
given to mend a lost soul
Culture
- oral culture
- no written language
until 19th century
- folklore and stories:
creation of the 18
clans; 18 last
names.
- Sewing, story cloths
(paj ntaub or
padao)
Dating, courtship, marriage Culture
Hmong culture consists of 18 surnames or clans (18
xyeem). It is a taboo to marry someone with the last
name as yours.
In older days, courtship is practiced and in modesty.
There is little display of public affection. Women tend
to domestic chores and work hard all year for the
New Year where during this time young men search
for a wife for the new year as it is the best time to
get married.
A formal proposal can be given for her hand in
marriage. The young man’s family would bring gifts
and money to her family, details will be worked out.
A gift can be given and if she accepts, they marry.
or……--------------->>>>>
Bride- napping (zij),
Bride Kidnapping
If a man is interested in a woman but she is
not returning the same feelings, this practice
of bride kidnapping would be enforced.
- shame if you returned home
- called the authority =disgrace
Marriage
- farming was an essential source for
economic security--->> early marriage &
large families= more helping hands
- Polygamy--->> more children for farming,
sons to carry on blood and heir.
- Arranged marriage
Marriage
● Bride price vs. selling daughters
● legally vs. traditionally (pros & cons)
Marriage steps
1) Fi Xov (sending the message)
2) First wedding feast
3) Second wedding feast
● lots of drinking usually take place and the
groom along with his best man will do a
lot of bowing on the knees.
Food
- Variation of other ethnic foods
Greens with pork and pepper
Despite having variations
of other food, regardless of
where you go, you will
always run into
the classic boiled
green veggies
with pork and pepper.
Lastly
For further information about assimilating to western
culture, Hmong culture practices and rituals please check
out the listed resources that may be of help and interest.
★ Resources:
○ http://www.pbs.org/splithorn/story.html (Watch it!!!)
○ http://hmonglessons.com/ (blogs are very helpful)
Thank you! Ua Tsaug!
Please feel free to email me or connect with
me if you have further questions!
Chee Lor - clor@isd622.org