1. Hmong Culture 101
Chee Lor

2. Quick recap of history Today Settlement across the globe
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
Today
Settlement across the globe
Largest concentration in: CA & MN
other countries with close ties: Thailand,
Laos, Vietnam, China and France

3. 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

4. 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.”

5. 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)

6. Ua Neeb

7. 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.

8. 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.

10. 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

11. 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)
Deb:
Criteria:
Tier Two Words (Show on slide)
K-5
Cross content areas

12. 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…… >>>>>
Deb:
Word List
Five words per grade level
explicitly teaching and reteaching and experiencing and reviewing and living the FIVE words BUT exposing kids to any or all words in purposeful ways.
We will introduce the list of words
Bride- napping (zij),

13. 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

14. 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

15. Marriage Bride price vs. selling daughters
legally vs. traditionally (pros & cons)
Deb:
Share how we are doing the data collection
Share goal example (written out)
Two- Three times
ONLY GIVE FIVE WORDS: MC, Matching, Checklists, Gestures, etc.

16. Fi Xov (sending the message) First wedding feast Second wedding feast
Marriage steps
Fi Xov (sending the message)
First wedding feast
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.
1: sending the message, a blessing will be done called lwm qaib to ask the ancestors to accept the new bride, after 3 days, a hu plig will take place
2. First wedding feast: done at the groom’s home and ending at the bride’s home
3. Second wedding feast: done at the bride’s home (noj tshoob), the bride price will be paid here and farewells.

17. Food
Variation of other ethnic foods

18. 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.

19. 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:
(Watch it!!!)
(blogs are very helpful)

20. Thank you! Ua Tsaug!
Please feel free to me or connect with me if you have further questions!
Chee Lor -