The Hmong community’s rich culture

A closer look at this under appreciated culture

By Faith Cha

Social Media Editor

The Hmong community of today is made up of descendants from an ancient culture that hailed from nothing. The culture originated from Southwestern China but has since spread all across the world, most notably in Minnesota, Wisconsin and California.

But while the Hmong community of today is very loving and prosperous, it’s history is a bit dark. The Secret War in 1964 saw thousands of Hmong soldiers being recruited to fight against the Vietnamese. The fight raged on for 11 years until the U.S. lost the war, leaving the Hmong community devastated. The war had taken a huge toll on their resources and their economy.

“General Vang Pao kept recruiting more Hmong soldiers to fight against the Vietnamese who invaded into the Hmong territory in Laos. Also, at the same time Vang Pao's soldiers were assigned to rescue American pilots that were shot down along Ho Chi Minh Trail. As a result, the war lasted until 1975 when the US policy changed. The US government lost the Vietnam War. For that reason, Hmong had no resources and financial support. Vang Pao escaped to Thailand and thousands of Hmong followed him until most of them reached the land of opportunity, USA,” said Sanger High School Hmong Teacher Moua Vang.

These brave Hmong soldiers risked their lives to ensure the safety and prosperity of generations to come. This piece of history is a prime example of how the Hmong community consists of people who are willing to put everything on the line to provide a better future for their peers. This is what the Hmong culture is all about; family.

“Hmong is a group of peaceful people who are culturally oriented. They are agrarian, loving as well as scientific in their field of expertise,” said Vang.

Every year the community hosts a Hmong New Year celebration that lasts from December to January. Here, members of the community wear traditional hmong clothing that differs from the modern Hmong style. This traditional attire signifies your tribe and where you are from.

“The Hmong clothing means different things. Traditionally it signifies what tribe you're from, and what area you are from. Modern Hmong clothing is a little different, with different and new fashion designs, but traditionally that's what the clothes mean,” said Sanger High School Sophomore Assistant Principal Beu Her.

From the traditional clothing and activities, to the cultural significance and delicious food; Hmong New Year celebrations are a great way to immerse yourself into the Hmong culture.

“There are a lot of Hmong people around the world and a lot of Hmong people in the USA. People would want to get to know us to experience other cultures that they are not familiar with. We also have pretty good cultural food,” said Sanger High School Counselor Aaron Vang.

Another notable tradition is the practice of Shamanism(or Animism), which is the spiritual cleansing of a family and their home. To do this, members typically gather at a home and have a special person come to cleanse the house and give the family good luck. And of course, there is lots of eating throughout the process.

“I would say that the Hmong people are animism and shamanism. Animism because Hmong believes that every being has a soul and spirit. Shamanism because they believe a shaman can communicate with the spiritual realm and help cure illness and sickness between the living and the deceased/spirits,” said Aaron Vang.

As you can tell, the Hmong community has a very rich history full of sacrifice and hardships. But while the older generation is well aware of what the community has had to give up in order to prosper, the newer generation isn’t quite as aware of their cultures' past.

“If Hmong do not learn their culture, sooner or later this ethnic group would be wiped out culturally from the main society. The new generation would have a very difficult time to survive as a group of human beings with culture, traditions, origins, and associations,” said Moua Vang.

It’s very important that people learn about the Hmong culture because of how under-appreciated it is. With its deep rooted history and loving ideals, the Hmong culture deserves to be remembered, followed and shared by everyone.