Hmong Culture By: Jason Vallimont

Who are the Hmong? The Hmong originate from a mountainous area in southern China. The Hmong originate from a mountainous area in southern China. The name comes from the language they speak. The name comes from the language they speak. Sometimes referred to as Miao or Meo by others. Sometimes referred to as Miao or Meo by others. They were severely persecuted around the world because of their anti-communist role in the Vietnam war. They were severely persecuted around the world because of their anti-communist role in the Vietnam war. A large number of moved to the US after the Vietnam war, the largest numbers live in Minnesota and California A large number of moved to the US after the Vietnam war, the largest numbers live in Minnesota and California Genocide of the Hmong continues today in Laos. Genocide of the Hmong continues today in Laos. They live in clans or large families They live in clans or large families Most are at-risk students in the educational system Most are at-risk students in the educational system image from _map.jpg

What information should teachers know about Hmong children? They have immigrated to the US since 1975, the state of California has about 36,000 K-12 Hmong students. They have immigrated to the US since 1975, the state of California has about 36,000 K-12 Hmong students. Of those students 85% are classified as LEP (Limited English Proficient) Of those students 85% are classified as LEP (Limited English Proficient) The US has the 4 th largest Hmong population in the world. The US has the 4 th largest Hmong population in the world. There is a shortage of Hmong bilingual teachers in the US There is a shortage of Hmong bilingual teachers in the US Many of these students lack the language skills, putting them at a disadvantage in the traditional classroom Many of these students lack the language skills, putting them at a disadvantage in the traditional classroom Many Hmong students come from a disadvantaged backgrounds. They live in poor neighborhoods. Many Hmong students come from a disadvantaged backgrounds. They live in poor neighborhoods. A large number of Hmong parents are unable to provide necessary academic support at home, therefore some Hmong children are left to fend for themselves in school since there is no support system at home. A large number of Hmong parents are unable to provide necessary academic support at home, therefore some Hmong children are left to fend for themselves in school since there is no support system at home.

Hmong Educational Disadvantages Parent involvement, Hmong parents do not know how to support their students in school Parent involvement, Hmong parents do not know how to support their students in school Abuse and neglect in homes Abuse and neglect in homes Cultural marriages lead to jealous and controlling husbands not allowing wives to stay in school. Cultural marriages lead to jealous and controlling husbands not allowing wives to stay in school. Other issues: teen parenting, financial pressure (needing to work part-time to help support their family), cultural and gender roles, and hanging out with the wrong crowd. Other issues: teen parenting, financial pressure (needing to work part-time to help support their family), cultural and gender roles, and hanging out with the wrong crowd. Safety issues, lower SES, living in unsafe neighborhoods Safety issues, lower SES, living in unsafe neighborhoods

How might Hmong children dress differently than their classmates? Dress plays a large role in ceremonial life. The Paj Ntaub is worn for community celebrations such as: New Year and rites of passage including birth, naming ceremonies, courtship, marriage and death. Dress plays a large role in ceremonial life. The Paj Ntaub is worn for community celebrations such as: New Year and rites of passage including birth, naming ceremonies, courtship, marriage and death. Although some dress is tied to religious and ceremonial life, it is common for Hmong to dress to the contemporary culture. Although some dress is tied to religious and ceremonial life, it is common for Hmong to dress to the contemporary culture. images from

Paj Ntaub Traditionally Hmong children begin to learn motifs and embroidery that goes into the Paj Ntaub around the age of 5 or 6. These designs contain geometric designs, recently because of refugee camps and western resettlement these designs have changed to include things in their daily lives. Traditionally Hmong children begin to learn motifs and embroidery that goes into the Paj Ntaub around the age of 5 or 6. These designs contain geometric designs, recently because of refugee camps and western resettlement these designs have changed to include things in their daily lives. image from LYTypeTraditionalEmbro.html

How might Hmong children behave differently than their classmates? Large incidence of dropping out. Large incidence of dropping out. Hanging out with wrong crowd and influenced by drugs and alcohol. Hanging out with wrong crowd and influenced by drugs and alcohol. Low LEP rate of 59% Low LEP rate of 59% Large amount of teen parents Large amount of teen parents Poor attendance Poor attendance Poor credit history Poor credit history Extensive discipline records Extensive discipline records

What religious observances might be a part of their lives? They have Shaman or a clan leader that is in charge of making all the decision for spiritual healing and religious ceremonies. They have Shaman or a clan leader that is in charge of making all the decision for spiritual healing and religious ceremonies. Hmong practice their religious beliefs from their native land and have carried over their traditional religious beliefs to the US. Hmong practice their religious beliefs from their native land and have carried over their traditional religious beliefs to the US. Healing: good health comes from within the person. Illness and invasive procedures can cause soul loss. Healing: good health comes from within the person. Illness and invasive procedures can cause soul loss. Death: Eastern point of view, that life is a continuous journey. They believe that you live to a certain age and when you reach that age you depart. They also believe that the spirit will reincarnate. Death: Eastern point of view, that life is a continuous journey. They believe that you live to a certain age and when you reach that age you depart. They also believe that the spirit will reincarnate.

Religion (cont) Funeral: Hmong like to dress the dying person in fine Hmong clothes. This tells the community that this person has lived a good life, will be missed and can make a proper entrance into the next world. Religious ceremonies conducted on behalf of the dying person are intended to make the person happier. Funeral: Hmong like to dress the dying person in fine Hmong clothes. This tells the community that this person has lived a good life, will be missed and can make a proper entrance into the next world. Religious ceremonies conducted on behalf of the dying person are intended to make the person happier.

What can schools do to support Hmong students? According to the Council of Asian Pacific Minnesotans there are six recommendations According to the Council of Asian Pacific Minnesotans there are six recommendations Get educational resources into the hands of these students Get educational resources into the hands of these students Create Asian clubs and peer mentoring Create Asian clubs and peer mentoring Emotional support (counseling) Emotional support (counseling) Inclusiveness: include students in the decision making process Inclusiveness: include students in the decision making process Screening and planning for new-coming Hmong students Screening and planning for new-coming Hmong students Parent education, get Hmong parents to buy into the educational system. Parent education, get Hmong parents to buy into the educational system.

Conclusion Unquestionably culture plays a huge role in curriculum and learning. It is important to not only have the knowledge and sensitivity to cultural differences, but also have a plan of how be sure that all students succeed. Hmong students have come to the US to ensure that their family has a better life. Many of these students are overlooked because they are quiet and do not know how to ask for help. In the end there are many ways we can meet the needs of these children and ensure that they are successful. Unquestionably culture plays a huge role in curriculum and learning. It is important to not only have the knowledge and sensitivity to cultural differences, but also have a plan of how be sure that all students succeed. Hmong students have come to the US to ensure that their family has a better life. Many of these students are overlooked because they are quiet and do not know how to ask for help. In the end there are many ways we can meet the needs of these children and ensure that they are successful.

Teaching Resources E.pdf E.pdf E.pdf E.pdf Hmong movie trailer, Paj Ntaub: &feature=related Hmong movie trailer, Paj Ntaub: &feature=related &feature=related &feature=related

Sources Bliatout, B.T. and Downing, B.T. (1998) Handbook for Teaching Hmong-Speaking Students Folsom Cordova Unified School District, Southeast Asia Community Resource Center Bliatout, B.T. and Downing, B.T. (1998) Handbook for Teaching Hmong-Speaking Students Folsom Cordova Unified School District, Southeast Asia Community Resource Center Culture Matters: Information about the Hmong Culture and Health care df Culture Matters: Information about the Hmong Culture and Health care df df df Dropout Prevention: Stories and Ideas from Hmong and Lao High Scho ol Students in North Minneapolis (2008) Dropout Prevention: Stories and Ideas from Hmong and Lao High Scho ol Students in North Minneapolis (2008) Vang, C.T. (2004). Hmong Studies Journal 5, 1-8 Students and the Academic Skills needed for a College Education: A Review of the Existing Literature and Suggestions for Future Research. Vang, C.T. (2004). Hmong Studies Journal 5, 1-8 Students and the Academic Skills needed for a College Education: A Review of the Existing Literature and Suggestions for Future Research.