1
visit us at
www.abdopub.com
Published by ABDO Publishing Company, 4940 Viking Drive, Edina, Minnesota 55435.
Copyright © 2004 by Abdo Consulting Group, Inc. International copyrights reserved in all
countries. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from
the publisher.
Printed in the United States.
Cover Photo: Corbis
Interior Photos: AP/Wide World p. 29; Corbis pp. 1, 2-3, 6, 8, 9, 11, 15, 21, 25, 30-31;
Kayte Deioma pp. 5, 14, 19, 20, 22; TimePix pp. 12, 17, 27
Editors: Kate A. Conley, Jennifer R. Krueger, Kristin Van Cleaf
Art Direction & Maps: Neil Klinepier
Special thanks to Txongpao Lee for help with the Hmong language.
All of the U.S. population statistics in the One Nation series are taken from the 2000 Census.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Bryan, Nichol, 1958Hmong Americans / Nichol Bryan.
p. cm. -- (One nation)
Summary: Provides an overview of the life and culture of Hmong Americans and presents
some information on the history of the Hmong in Laos.
Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index.
ISBN 1-57765-983-X
1. Hmong Americans--Juvenile literature. [1. Hmong Americans. 2. Refugees. 3.
Immigrants.] I. Title.
E184.H55B78 2003
973’.0495942--dc21
2
2002043629
Contents
Hmong Americans ................................................4
An Ancient Land .................................................... 6
In America ............................................................ 12
Becoming a Citizen ..............................................16
Hmong Customs ..................................................18
Contributions ...................................................... 26
Glossary .............................................................. 30
Saying It ............................................................... 31
Web Sites.............................................................. 31
Index ................................................................... 32
3
Hmong Americans
America is a land of immigrants. For hundreds of years,
immigrants have entered the United States and become new
Americans. Some of the most recent immigrants are Hmong.
The Hmong have long been a people on the move. In fact, the
name Hmong means “free.” The Hmong have lived in China, Laos, the
United States, and other countries. Many Hmong came to the United
States after thousands of their people were killed in war. They fled a
cruel government and entered a new world.
The move has been difficult for Hmong immigrants. Many
Hmong are unfamiliar with modern American life, having only known
village life in their native land. They have struggled with
discrimination and fear, but the Hmong have made America a new
homeland.
Opposite page: A Hmong-American dancer
at a New Year celebration in California
4
5
An Ancient Land
For many years, the Hmong lived in China. There, they were
abused and sometimes killed. So in the 1800s, many Hmong fled
China to escape this harsh treatment. They settled in the mountains
of Laos, which provided safety from the Chinese.
Laos is about the size of the state of Oregon. It is one of the
poorest countries in Southeast Asia. There are few cities or paved
roads, and mountains and jungle cover the land. High in the
The sun sets behind
the hills of Laos.
6
mountains of Laos, the Hmong farmed and raised livestock. Most
had no electricity or other modern conveniences.
France took control of Laos in 1893. A few Hmong learned French
and were friendly to their foreign rulers. Others, however, disliked
living under the French. The Hmong had to pay high taxes under
French rule, so some of them rebelled.
The Journey from Laos to the United States
Arctic Ocean
North
America
Europe
Asia
Pacific
Ocean
Africa
Indian
Ocean
Atlantic
Ocean
South
America
Australia
United States
Laos
Antarctica
Southern Ocean
7
Despite this, the Hmong protected French soldiers in World War II
when the Japanese took control of Laos. France regained control of
Laos after the war, and the Hmong continued to live as
independently as possible.
France began giving Laos
limited independence in 1949.
Five years later, Laos gained
complete independence. King
Sisavang Vong ruled the
country. But, some people in
Laos did not want the country
to be a kingdom. A group
called the Pathet Lao fought to
make Laos a communist state.
King Sisavang Vong being
carried near his palace
Communists in nearby Vietnam
helped the Pathet Lao.
The government of Laos and the Pathet Lao tried to work
together. But, both sides became involved in the Vietnam War in
the early 1960s. The Hmong people fought against the Pathet Lao
and the North Vietnamese communists. The United States trained
the Hmong and gave them weapons.
8
The Americans and the
Hmong lost the war, and in 1975
the Pathet Lao took control of
Laos. By this time, some
30,000 Hmong had been killed
in the fighting. With the war
over, the Pathet Lao established
a new government and soon
took revenge on the Hmong.
Those who had fought against
the Pathet Lao were put in
camps inside of Laos and forced
to work.
Thousands of Hmong
escaped Laos and made it to
Thailand. There, they faced
King Sisavang Vong
awful conditions in refugee
camps. There was little clean water or sanitation. Many Hmong
caught malaria or other illnesses. The Hmong were not allowed to
work, which sometimes led to crime. Some Hmong stayed in the
camps for as long as 10 years.
9
The United Nations and other groups tried to find new homes for
the Hmong refugees in Thailand. Most Hmong moved from the
refugee camps to the United States or France. Only a small group of
refugees stayed in Thailand. Some of the Hmong who went back to
Laos died under the harsh treatment of their new rulers.
Today, Laos says it has made peace with its minorities, including
the Hmong. However, some Hmong Americans say their relatives in
Laos are having a hard time. The Hmong in Laos do not have the
same rights as the Hmong in America. Many of them are
discriminated against. Most are very poor.
Many Hmong people in France and the United States can visit
their relatives in Laos. Sometimes, they contact their families by
phone or mail. Despite this, the Hmong in the United States feel
very far from the Hmong in Laos because they are living very
different lives.
10
Hmong refugees posing in the photo
studio of a Thai refugee camp
11
In America
Because the Hmong helped the United States in the Vietnam
War, America let some of them enter the United States. Eventually,
150,000 Hmong came to the United States. The largest Hmong
communities formed in California,
Minnesota, and Wisconsin. At first, life
was very hard for Hmong immigrants.
Many had to turn to welfare and charity
to survive.
Children found coming to America
an adventure. They began to learn
English in school. They absorbed
American culture from television. They
played sports and adopted the latest
fashions. Many young adults worked
in entry-level jobs. By going to classes
and listening to fellow workers, they
A Hmong-American student at
a school in Wausau, Wisconsin
learned English.
12
W=9”
Hmong-American Communities
NH
VT
WA
ME
ND
MT
OR
MA
MN
ID
WV
WY
MI
IL
NV
CA
AZ
CO
KS
OK
NM
VA
MO
NJ
DE
MD
KY
NC
TN
SC
AR
MS
TX
OH
IN
RI
CT
PA
IA
NE
UT
NY
WI
SD
AL
GA
LA
FL
AK
N
W
HI
E
S
More than 50,000
Hmong Americans
Between 1,000 & 10,000
Hmong Americans
Between 10 & 100
Hmong Americans
Between 10,000 & 50,000
Hmong Americans
Between 100 & 1,000
Hmong Americans
Less than 10
Hmong Americans
13
Older Hmong Americans had a harder time adjusting to life in the
United States. Many of these older Hmong had been brave soldiers
in Laos. Some held
important posts in their
villages. In America, they
felt forgotten.
Many of these HmongAmerican elders still feel
dependent on their children.
Some do not know English
and are afraid to even leave
their homes. Fortunately,
several governmental and
private groups help the
Hmong adjust to American
life.
A Hmong-American woman
sells traditional tapestries
at a New Year Festival.
14
The Hmong also rely
on each other for getting
by in the United States.
Most Hmong settle close
to other Hmong
immigrants. In St. Paul,
Minnesota, for example,
there is a large
population of Hmong
Americans. Rejoining
their extended families
helps the Hmong
preserve their way of life.
A Hmong elder in
traditional dress
15
Becoming a Citizen
Hmong and other immigrants who come to the United States
take the same path to citizenship. Immigrants become citizens in a
process called naturalization. A government agency called the
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) oversees this process.
The Path to Citizenship
Applying for Citizenship
The first step in becoming a citizen is filling out a form. It is called the Application for Naturalization.
On the application, immigrants provide information about their past. Immigrants send the
application to the INS.
Providing Information
Besides the application, immigrants must provide the INS with other items. They may include
documents such as marriage licenses or old tax returns. Immigrants must also provide photographs
and fingerprints. They are used for identification. The fingerprints are also used to check whether
immigrants have committed crimes in the past.
The Interview
Next, an INS officer interviews each immigrant to discuss his or her application and background. In
addition, the INS officer tests the immigrant’s ability to speak, read, and write in English. The officer
also tests the immigrant’s knowledge of American civics.
The Oath
1616
Immigrants approved for citizenship must take the Oath of Allegiance. Once immigrants take this
oath, they are citizens. During the oath, immigrants promise to renounce loyalty to their native
country, to support the U.S. Constitution, and to serve and defend the United States when needed.
Sample Questions from
the Civics Test
How many stars are there on our flag?
What is the capital of the state you live in?
Why did the pilgrims come to America?
How many senators are there in Congress?
Who said, “Give me liberty or give me
death”?
What are the first 10 amendments to the
Constitution called?
In what month do we vote for the president?
Why Become a
Citizen?
Why would an immigrant want to become
a U.S. citizen? There are many reasons.
Perhaps the biggest reason is that the U.S.
Constitution grants many rights to its
citizens. One of the most important is the
right to vote.
17
Hmong Customs
Although traditions often change in America, the Hmong have held
on to their customs in their new country. While many Hmong parents
and grandparents lead very traditional lives, some younger Hmong are
leading more American lives. This blending of traditional Hmong
culture with American culture can be seen in any typical HmongAmerican family.
The Hmong Family
Many Hmong families are large. It is not unusual for a Hmong
couple to have seven or eight children. In Laos, Hmong women get
married when they are as young as 13 or 14 years old. Usually, parents
have a lot of input regarding husbands and wives for their children.
Traditionally, there are 18 Hmong clans. Marrying anyone in the
same clan is against Hmong custom. When a woman marries, she
becomes a member of her husband’s clan. Some of these traditions
have changed in America, however. For example, some Hmong-
18
Hmong Customs
American women are older when they marry, or they have fewer
children.
Some Hmong men have more than one wife. This custom is
from life in Laos and other countries. A few Hmong men have
several wives and many children. Though it is illegal to have more
than one spouse in the United States, some Hmong wives stay with
their families and unofficial husbands.
Members of a Hmong-American family in California
19
Celebrations
One of the most well-known Hmong
celebrations is the New Year Festival.
Traditionally, it comes at the end of November.
Many Hmong Americans, however, celebrate this
festival around Christmas. The New Year Festival
is the most important cultural event of the year
for the Hmong.
Hmong Americans see the New Year Festival
as a celebration of their freedom. According to
A Hmong New Year dancer
legend, the New Year Festival started when a hero
named Txoov Siv Yis defeated an evil spirit who was eating the
Hmong people. The Hmong went into hiding to avoid the spirit.
After Txoov Siv Yis defeated the spirit, the Hmong came out of
hiding and celebrated their freedom.
Customs
Events such as marriages and funerals also bring members of the
Hmong community together. A Hmong wedding or funeral service
may last several days. During a wedding, the Hmong may burn
20
Hmong Customs
A Hmong woman sells traditional tapestries.
incense or sing traditional songs. They have preserved these
traditional ceremonies as links to their past.
The Hmong also carry on their traditions through crafts. Hmong
women are very skilled in sewing. Hmong tapestries sometimes
show what village life was like in the native Hmong homelands. The
tapestries display entire scenes made of thousands of tiny hand
stitches. Hmong Americans often sell these tapestries to make
money.
21
Food
Hmong Americans take pride in growing vegetables, herbs, and
spices. They enjoy cooking traditional foods with these ingredients.
A main part of the Hmong diet is white rice. A Hmong-American
person may even eat rice for breakfast! The Hmong also eat a lot of
vegetables. Fish, pork, and chicken are popular meats in the Hmong
diet. Milk and cheese, however, are not eaten as often. One reason
for this is that milk and cheese were not commonly found in Laos.
A Hmong mother and daughter prepare food for a New Year celebration.
22
Hmong Customs
Religion
In Laos, many Hmong are animists. They believe in many
different spirits that can affect the lives of people. They believe that
certain spirits exist in houses or somewhere in nature.
Since coming to America, some Hmong have continued to honor
their traditional religion. An important part of this religion is the
work of a shaman. A shaman is a person who communicates
between the Hmong and the spirits.
Shamans perform ceremonies and provide guidance and advice
on many topics. They are respected because they have a power not
shared by others. In the mountains of Southeast Asia, the shaman
was one of the most important people in a village.
However, the Hmong sometimes find it hard to practice their
religion in the United States. Some rituals require live animals, such
as chickens, which are hard to find in cities. Ceremonies may also
be loud and could disturb neighbors. And, some Hmong feel that
the spirits of their mountains and villages in Laos are far away from
them now.
23
Some Hmong in the United States have converted to Christianity.
Christian churches and religious groups often helped Hmong
refugees reach the United States. As a result, some Hmong have
taken up the religion of whichever group helped them arrive in
America. So, some Hmong attend Roman Catholic, Lutheran, or
other churches.
Language
Learning English is still a challenge for many Hmong. Those who
speak English well are able to succeed in school. They may become
doctors, lawyers, business owners, or other professionals. But, some
Hmong Americans have trouble learning this new language.
Hmong children who are frustrated with English sometimes drop
out of school. Poor English and little education result in lowerpaying jobs for some Hmong Americans. They work in factories
where they do not need to know much English. And, some Hmong
employees are overlooked for promotions because they cannot
speak English well.
Opposite page: Hmong children learn
English in a refugee camp in Thailand.
24
Hmong Customs
Not only is learning English difficult, but many Hmong must also
learn writing skills at the same time. Long ago, when the Hmong
lived in China, they had their own alphabet and written language.
But, the Chinese forbade it, and the language mostly disappeared.
Today, the Hmong language uses the same alphabet as English.
Several letters, however, are pronounced differently in Hmong than
in English. It can take years for native Hmong speakers to learn to
speak English.
25
Contributions
Compared with other immigrant groups, Hmong people have not
been in the United States for very long. They are just starting to
make names for themselves in many areas of American culture.
The most famous Hmong American, Vang Pao, earned his fame
before he arrived in America. He commanded the Hmong army in
Laos. This army was trained by Americans to fight the Pathet Lao.
He left Laos after the Pathet Lao gained control of the country in
1975.
Vang Pao came to America and soon moved to California. Many
Hmong people say he has more influence than anyone else in their
community. The former general’s name is familiar to Hmong
Americans and other Americans.
Many second-generation Hmong Americans are also becoming
well known. One area where they are making strides is music.
Young Hmong Americans are forming music groups across the
country. They sing many popular styles, from country western to rap
and hip-hop.
26
A California pop band named Paradise is very popular with
Hmong teens and has released several CDs. Paradise has six band
members. They are Ko,
Phong, Haget, Long, Nao,
and Cina Chang. After
years of hard work, they
became successful pop
stars. They perform their
songs in English, French,
and Hmong.
Another famous
Hmong American in the
arts is Nkauj’lis Lyfoung.
She is a Hmong-American
actress. She has appeared
in several films, including
General Vang Pao during
the Vietnam War
27
Triangle Choices and Portraits from the Cloth. Lyfoung has also
acted, written, and directed for the Pom Siab Hmoob Theater. This
was the first Hmong-American theater in the United States.
Hmong Americans have also made names for themselves in
sports. Yia Mua is a champion kickboxer. Mua is often called “The
Bull.” He has competed both inside and outside of the United
States in a style of kickboxing known as MuayThai kickboxing.
Of course, many successful Hmong Americans are not as well
known. For example, 28-year-old Kaying Xiong-Vue is one of
America’s first Hmong principals. She works at Locust Lane
Elementary School in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. When she came to the
United States at age six, she struggled to learn a new language and
culture. She found school to be a safe place to learn. As a principal,
she tries to be a role model for young Hmong Americans.
Another Hmong-American woman who is giving back to her
community is Mee Moua. In St. Paul, Minnesota, Mee Moua
became America’s first Hmong-American state senator in January
2002. Moua’s family came to America from a refugee camp in
Thailand when she was nine. Moua did well in school and became a
lawyer. Now, she represents Hmong Americans and others as a
successful state senator. Moua’s victory has encouraged other
28
Mee Moua tearfully
accepts her senate win.
Hmong to become involved in politics, and many voted for the first
time in her election.
More and more Hmong are finding a successful place in American
life. Although mistreatment and fear drove the Hmong to leave their
homes, some still long to return to Laos. Others are settling into a life
that is less traditionally Hmong and more Hmong American.
29
One Nation One Nation One Nation One Nation One Natio
Glossary
abuse - to mistreat or hurt someone or something, either physically or with
words.
camp - a place where civilians live temporarily, sometimes against their will.
communism - a social and economic system in which everything is owned by the
government and distributed to the people as needed.
culture - the customs, arts, and tools of a nation or people at a certain time.
customs - the habits of a group that are passed on through generations.
discrimination - unfair treatment based on factors such as a person’s race,
religion, or gender.
immigration - entry into another country to live. People who immigrate are called
immigrants.
kickboxing - a form of boxing that includes kicking.
malaria - a disease spread by certain mosquitoes that causes chills and fever.
minority - a racial, religious, or political group that is different from the
larger group of which it is a part.
rebel - to disobey an authority or the government.
refugee - a person who flees to another country for safety and protection.
sanitation - the promotion of cleanliness to prevent disease.
tapestry - a fabric with designs that often tell a story.
United Nations - a group of nations that works on issues such as human
rights, the environment, and preserving peace.
Vietnam War - 1955 to 1975. A long, failed attempt by the United States
to stop North Vietnam from taking over South Vietnam.
30
One Nation One Nation One Nation One Nation One Nati
Saying It
Hmong - MUNG
Kaying Xiong-Vue - kah-YENG SHUNG-VOO
Mee Moua - MEE MOH-ah
MuayThai - MOY-TIE
Nkauj’lis Lyfoung - gow-LEE lee-FONG
Pathet Lao - PA-tet LAHOW
Sisavang Vong - see-SAH-vah VONG
Txoov Siv Yis - SUNG SHEE YEE
Vang Pao - VANG POW
Yia Mua - YEE-ah MOH-ah
Web Sites
To learn more about Hmong Americans, visit ABDO Publishing
Company on the World Wide Web at www.abdopub.com. Web sites
about Hmong Americans are featured on our Book Links page.
These links are routinely monitored and updated to provide the
most current information available.
31
One Nation One Nation One Nation One Nation One Natio
Index
A
Asia 6, 23
C
California 12, 26, 27
celebrations 20
China 4, 6, 25
citizenship 16
E
Eau Claire, Wisconsin 28
education 12, 24, 28
F
family 10, 14, 15, 18, 19
food 22
France 7, 8, 10
H
history 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12,
25
I
immigration 4, 10, 12, 14,
15, 16, 23, 24, 26, 28
32
Immigration and
Naturalization Service
16
R
J
St. Paul, Minnesota 15, 28
Japan 8
L
language 7, 12, 14, 24, 25,
27, 28
Laos 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 18,
19, 22, 23, 26, 29
Lyfoung, Nkauj’lis 27, 28
religion 23, 24
S
T
tapestries 21
Thailand 9, 10, 28
Txoov Siv Yis 20
U
United Nations 10
M
V
Minnesota 12
Moua, Mee 28, 29
Mua, Yia 28
music 26, 27
Vietnam 8
Vietnam War 8, 9, 12
Vong, Sisavang 8
W
O
Oregon 6
Wisconsin 12
World War II 8
P
X
Pao, Vang 26
Paradise 27
Pathet Lao 8, 9, 26
Xiong-Vue, Kaying 28