Culture

Cultural artifacts:

Images are provided by PaNhia Vang

Paj Ntaub (flower cloth):

It was believed that after the Hmong flee from the Han Chinese and lost their written language, Hmong women were able to save the language through the textile art Paj Ntaub. Hmong women invented geometric and stylized designs to represent the sounds of words.

Qeej:

The qeej is a musical instrument that is played during funeral rituals, weddings, and New Year celebrations. The qeej was created to imitate the 8 Hmong tones. When it is played it imitates Hmong spoken words.

Nyiab (baby carrier):

A nyiab was designed to safeguard young vulnerable soul and protects their souls from wandering.

Xauv:

A xauv is a Hmong necklace. It means lock. A xauv was used by the Chinese to identify captured and enslaved Hmong during the Han dynasty. Eventually, after gaining independence, the Hmong reclaimed the xauv which was designed to remember the hardships of the Hmong.

Important Ceremonies

Hu Plig (Soul calling)

A Hu plig ceremony is done to call a soul back to its host body. It is believed that an individual body is a host to many souls. Once your soul leaves the body it can cause sickness and emotional/mental distress. A Hu plig ceremony is typically done when one falls sick or after a mother gives birth to a newborn child. Hu plig can also be done for celebrations such as graduations or weddings as well.

Noj Peb Caug (New Year Celebration)

The new year celebration is typically celebrated in late November which is the harvesting season. This celebration celebrates the new year. During a new year celebration, a txiv neeb or niam neeb (shaman) will do a ritual to get rid of any bad luck and bad situations so that when it is the new year, families can start afresh and happy.

This was a hu plig ceremony for Chor Vang. At this ceremony a hand-tying with white string ceremony also took place. Image is provided by PaNhia Vang's family

Hand-tying ritual

A hand-tying ritual isn't authentically Hmong. It is a ritual that has been adopted into the Hmong tradition and culture after migrating to Laos and Thailand. A hand-tying ritual can take place at any ceremony. It is common to see it done at a hu plig ceremony and during the new year celebration. Strings can be tied around the wrist, ankle, and or the neck. It is more common to tie the string around the wrist. String tying is done to give wishes such as wishing for good luck and wishing for good health. String tying is also done to protect the soul. Strings are typically red, white, and black but you may see other alternative colors as well. If an all-white string is used, it is for well-being/good health. If a string has multiple colors (typically red, white, and black together) it is used to protect the soul from harm.

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