div-Wua-eUb-dka-jtuld
  

dka-fI-tos-Ep-cPf-wls-jQogk-xoJs

wNaLfn jjesWI HDtp jEis-Ru, jjShxLfn FPdos

Hmong Life

-

ÜÝÜ


-SiJs-jRula-

Eoa-jQogk-xoJs-xid-SiJs-jRula-xYs-rnhk, Hxh-HQb, Hxh-jjVha... VYd-jVia-EiJa-fNc-EU-fPa-BUb-Bigs-Bkn-dia-HV-Skx-Laa-qU rtu eia-qU jjtK-ehlx-jjVs-BUb-jtuJlnA-qkn-rtis 2+4 Vp.

Building a house

Hmong people build simple houses with only one floor. The roof is made of grass, bamboo, wood, and palm leaves. The houses are usually found on mountain slopes and need to be repaired every two to four years.


vhkaxoJs

VK-Ek-Eoa-jQogk-xoJs xid-SiJs-jRula-jjvv-tNv-sbkn DI-xK-fkA vmg-xp-Vbls-BhNx jjSb-xp-VK-SU-els-fhka: VK-SU-fhka-rahk GEh-eI-tiv-Hrch-Qp jjtK-jRif-qP-Dp-SbksA. ebca-fhka-whks-jjxba-GEh-Dogc-HV-jjvv-Eoa-jQogk-lugaA.

A Hmong village

Hmong houses are very simple with no windows and two large doors. The front door is only for spirit chanting and ceremonies, while the side door is for entering and exiting the house.


jdpftUd

DYdA-jDugl-Dpg-jdpf-tUd jjxb jjtK-tUd-ahln FK-Shls-ala-jDPs-rnhk-Wk BUb-whks-jSok-Hz-Grh-Rlf 3 xuJ jqugl-Grh-xp-Wckx-lov-lYba-Fkd-jSok-Hz. lpd-Bbks-raygs Eoa-jQogk-xoJs-nis-jEugl-Cu-dia-cbk rnhk-Wk-ek-xkf-Vod-Vhls-jfid-ahln Fkd-qcd-Qp-Dpg-xid-xk-tov-dca-jjl-ahln dbla-rahk-Dpg-vmg-Dia-SiJs-Eug jjtK-eUb-wcia.

A new baby

After Hmong women give birth, both they and their baby sleep on a pile of grass close to the fire, to keep warm, for the first three days. We also believe that the grass bed gives protection from the evil spirits that haunt the baby until it is named.


dPajwoJk

dka-dPa-jwoJk-jjSb-tK-WiJs-wls-jQogk-xoJs Shls-tm-Chk-Grh-DYd-Woa-xk-Wov-dbla jjthc-Fygs-dPa. ebca-rtkn-jQogk-xoJs-FK-dPa-jwoJk-Fhkc jjtK-aigs-Sigs-DYd-WiJs.

Meals

When we eat together we always wait for everybody to finish before leaving. During the meal we sit on small wooden chairs and often eat steamed rice and drink water.


DIaknfhcnHwb

jxugl-xp-dka-jFiv-Hwh-Hfh-Vbcn jQogk-xoJs-xid-FK-HV-rk-rxm-xoa jqugl-DI-akn-jvPgscbk Qp-rnis-jRif-Grh-jFiv. Lfn-dka-Div-Hwb-Geb-Chcn jjthc-DI-akn-Skx-zlf-wls-Hwb-Skx-jjSb-tK-DPf.

The egg

Hmong people believe that by breaking an egg into a bowl of water and watching the froth that appears we can learn about the ailments of the sick.


xhk

DYdA-jEoJk Eoa-jQogk-xoJs-FK-HV-HRb HV-eca jVia-wK-vca rtu Wlv-Woc qhlx-Dis-jFbn-tUd jjtK FUs-xhk-HV-aI jqugl-FK-Hfh-Sbks-jWugls-wls-Fkd-HRb-div-vhka-Ga-Sla-jjts. xhk-jVia-qk-rK-aK-SoJa-Sm-wls-Eoa-jQogk-xoJs-QUh-Dpg-fI-tos-EpcPf-BUb-jwf-qU-eUs.

Horses

When the Hmong go to work in the fields every morning the women often carry their children on their backs. Horses are also taken to and from the fields. They can carry heavy loads, which is important in the countryside.


tosxoados

rtis-Fkd DI-akn-RUh-Qp-Dpg-jRif-Grh-jFiv-jjthc Fygs-HV-jEpa-rxm-xoa-xk tos-xoa-dos “VPga-Voc”. rxm-xoa-FK-Bua-BUb-jDPs-LSK-nkc Ga-dks-jRula Lff-jSiJa, eiga-dK-fPs jjtK-dos-jrtid-Dpg-xp-jjrca, eNs-fis-eK-rtiv-Eiv-Ehla jqugl-jVia-dka-akv-wUb-Qp jRif-Grh-Woa-jFiv-fp-wyJa.

Spirit chanter

When an evil spirit has possessed someone we invite a spirit chanter into our home to perform a ceremony. The chanter performs a dance on a bench in the middle of the house. He holds some small chimes in his left hand and a steel circle in his right. He chants loudly to scare the evil spirit. We believe that only when the evil spirit has left will the sick person get better.


Spjrtid

qcd-QUh-Ekn-jjxba-xp-Wckx-EI-aP-EI-aka Ga-dka-Sp-jrtid-jEiga: xpf, qhk, eNx, wcka... jqugl-DI-dka-QK-tPf.

Blacksmith

Hmong men are skilled blacksmiths. They mainly make knives, spades, hoes and axes.


eidjwoJk

jQogk-xoJs-jjxba-xp-Wckx-fY-rxiga-wK-rnia-qNa-Ga-dka-VUd-Zis-jEiga: VUd-jwoJk, ek-tp, jQuld, xia jjtK-lugaA... Sla-apJ jwok-jFoJk-dI-tis-eid-jwoJk-HRb.

Farmers

Hmong people are diligent and hardworking. Hmong are able farmers and many work in agriculture. We grow rice, corn, potatoes and more. This couple is growing rice.


Cidjjebc

qcd-QUh-nPs-jjxba-xp-Wckx-EI-aP-EI-aka-Ga-dka-SX-rUd Dm-Hrx, rnPv-jjebc tcx-Dis-jWugls-aYbs-rogx-SbksA... jEPgs-qk-ek-xoJs-jlpJa-cbk “GE Vbk jfoJk”.

Needlework

Hmong women are very talented and proficient with fabric, stitching and making various handicrafts.


lpJcektp

jwok-jFoJk-dI-tis-lpJc-ek-tp “Lxh-ek-tp” jqugl-SoJx jjthc-aI-HV-jdul-rxU-Grh-SYhn-qp Lfn-eK-jqkK-jjxba-rxU-Dpg-thNs-Hch-eI-tiv-vYa-dPa-FNs.

Grinding corn

Here the men are milling corn to feed to their pigs. We like our male pigs very fat so that there is more to share when we kill them for the New Year celebrations.


SIjwoJk

DYdA-jEoJk rtu rtis-Fkd dPa-jwoJk-jjts WUb-Qoc-jxn rtu eK-xk-EPd-Ga-Wlv-Woc FK-Shls-SI-jwoJk-jVuld jqugl-jlok-jwoJk-eka-thNs-Wlv-Woc.

Pounding rice

Every morning and evening after eating, we pound the rice, to remove the husks, for their next meal.


vYa-dPa-FNs

New Year Festival


DYdA-Vp Eoa-jQogk-xoJs-FK-Fif-ska-vYa-dPa-FNs. Ga-ska-FK-xp-dka-jjwbs-wia-dP-tk eiv-rxkd-wbks jlpJacbk “jfok SUb tUh” jjtK-dP-tk-lugaA-jEiga: jSpx-jB (HR du jEin), jVogk-Vpg, jVogk-jjWa, nPs-rahk jqugl-ehks-via-nk-dkf jjtK-eK-jjfs-eP-tK-VK lia-jVia-jl-dK-tid-wls-jQogk-xoJs Ga-ska-vYa-SbksA.

The New Year festival is organised every year. Traditional games, such as toy top racing (dao tou lou), are still played.

Next page: Traditional arts are presented at the festival. These include folk singing, flute and khaen playing, bamboo arrow shooting, and dancing.


VblnsocEoadia

apJ-Wu dka-Vbln-soc-Eoa-dia jVia-lpd-dPf-FK-dI-raygs-Ga-dka-eK-rtls-vYa-dPa-FNs soc-ebca-rtkn jjxba-wls-GQ-QUh-raygs-Dpg-xp-Wckx-fY-rxiga jjtK lof-Doa-Ga-dka-thNs-soc jjtK-Shls-Hfh-ela-jVia-qP-jef jqugl-nkf-jlok-HE-EK-aK-Fkd-WUb-Smg-eUh.

Ox fights

Ox fighting is one of the biggest New Year celebrations. The oxen’s owners spend the year raising them and teaching them how to fight. The more practiced and skilled ox will win honor for its owner.


jjwbsxhk

-jjwbs-xhk-dmg-jVia-lpd-dPf-FK-dI-raygs-Ga-ska-vYa-dPa-FNs.

Racing

Horseracing is another tradition that is involved in the New Year ceremonies.


eogsDhknVpjdogk

dka-eogs-Dhkn-Vp-jdogk “tu EUh” jQogk-xoJs-FK-xk-jSoJk-LRx-jVia-dYbx Skx-jEuJl-ekncos-SK-dYa-wls-GQ-tkc-jEiga: jEis-tp, jEis-Dm, jEis-rck... rtis-Fkd-aiJa FK-qk-dia-nbks-jVia-cos-lhlx-ekn-jEuld 3 jDugl-jwoJk 3 jDugl-lld Lfn-xp-rxm-Qp-Fiv-Hdb-QUh-LS-raygs jVia-QUh-Vif-jVogk-Wckx-Eogc-Rhkn-Grh-rap-HV-aI-Vp-jdogk.

The New Year

This procession is known as leu sou and sees off the old year before welcoming in the new. The entire village comes together in a big group, along with their extended family and others from the same tribe. They all walk through a plaited grass loop three times. The tribe’s spirit chanter holds a large chicken in his hand and chants away everybody’s bad luck with the passing of the old year.


rtis-Fkd eogs-Dhkn-Vp-jdogk-jjthc, jxugl-div-xk-Rlf-jRula jjSb-tK-Wlv-Woc-Shls-xp-dka Sp-Whls-Rhls-wcia-Vp-Grxb-jEiga: wcia-eK-xk-EPd-Wlv-Woc, wcia-jsPa-WI, wcia-eif, wcia-jwoJk... QUh-jVia-roc-rahk-Wlv-Woc FK-Bua-BUb-Vkd-VK-SU-fhka-Ga qhlx-Dis-xp Hdb-raygs-WUb jjtK-Hwb-Wov-Skx-FI-aca-Woa-Ga-Wlv-Woc.

After the procession each family returns to their home where they have a private ceremony to welcome the new souls into their homes. This includes the souls of people, animals, plants, money, and more. The head of the family is the soul chanter and he stands inside the house. By the front door there are two chickens, and an egg for each person in the family.


Lna-rxkd-Wla

dka-Lna-rxkd-Wla Fif-wyJa-jqugl-Grh-vbkc-ekc-Hfh-xp-Ll-dkf-tox-dia jjtK-jtuld-jauJl-WUb-wls-GQ-tkc. Ga-jc-tk-apJ qcd-QUh-ekc-xp-ePf-HV-jtuld-jlok-QUh-vbkc-xk-Lna-aI QUh-vbkc-FK-vmg-xp-ePf-VK-SP-jef.

Courtship

Throwing cotton balls is a Hmong tradition for boys and girls. Couples who marry often met this way. The girl has the right to find the boy who threw the ball she caught. When she finds him he cannot refuse her.


WckxRid

jxugl-WUb-vbkc-ekc xp-Wckx-Rid-xid-dia-jjthc, Dis-els-FK-aif-jc-tk-dia jqugl-Grh-QUh-vbkc-HV-jlok-ekc-xk-jRula Lfn-vmg-Grh-qmg-jjxb-QUh-ekc-RUh. rtis-Fkd-aiJa FPgs-jjSbs-SiJs-Grh-els-Woa-HV-tkn-ska-Smg-qmg-jjxb-QUh-ekc-Riv-RUh. Ga-lK-fpf-jtugls-QUh-ekc-Cud-tid-Cu-cbk-jVia-wls-DI-xK-fk jjSb-Vif-FY-via vmg-Wbln-xp-rtkn-jjthc jqkK-xia-jVia-dka-Zua-GF-Zbkn-nPs jjtK vmg-elf-Wbls-div-Rpf-Wls-eK-Hrx-Grxb jjSb-dmg-nis-xp-vks-WiJs-vks-Wkc Lfn-eK-jqkK-Ga-jwf-Eoa-aK-vof.

Love

When a Hmong boy and girl fall in love and want to marry, the boy must take the girl to his house without her parents’ knowledge. She is expected to put up a show of resistance. Later, after she has reached the boy’s home, two of his friends are sent to inform her parents. In the past, it was common for girls to be “stolen” in this manner, against their will. Modern customs forbid this, but it still happens in some villages.


eUbwciatUdGqhGrxb

rtis-Fkd-QUh-ekc xk-Rlf-jRula-QUh-vbkc-Hfh 3 xuJ Wlv-Woc-Zbkn-jFoJk-vbkc-FK-Shls-Hfh-Fif-qP-Dp-ahln eUb-wcia-tUd-Gqh-Grxb Dpg-qk-ek-xoJs-jlpJa-cbk “RU V-tp jdogk nK” jjSb-vmg-jjxba-ska-rxiJa rtu ska-fls, jVia-qNs-dka-jjFhs-Grh-Qp-jRula-Riv-RUh-eK-xk-EPd-Woa-Grxb.

The basi

After the couple stays in the boy’s house for three days, the family performs a Basi ceremony to welcome their new daughter-in-law. This is known as the hou plee kou nya. It is not a wedding ceremony but an introduction to the family’s spirit.


skafls

jwok-jFoJk-dI-tis-xbca-Euga div-Wkv-jwoJk-Ga-ska-fls-Dpg-jSix-HV-fhcn-lk-rka-rtkn-Bbks jjtK-xp-dka-qK-aia-dPa-jrtoJk-Skx-dK-SP-dk-Soc-Bbks: Rlv-Dp 1 DYd-Woa-fugx 1 Fld, Rlv 2 DYd-Woa-Shls-fugx 2 Fld rtu ekx-Fld-Smg-A-HV... Bbks-jvpd-vka-xbca-Euga-Dpg-eYf.

The wedding

Hmong villages celebrate weddings with a big party. They make and consume great piles of food, and drink many bottles of alcohol. Hmong drinking is unique, as after your first drink you must take two shots at a time, every time!


rtisFkdjjSbsska

rtis-Fkd-jjSbs-ska-jjthc, WUb-Qoc-jxn-Shls-Rid-rlx-jlok-dia qhlx-Dis-Ebcn-jrtul-jEPgs-dia-jjtK-dia Ga-dka-DI-xk-rk-dPa Wu-div-jQogk-lugaA.

After marriage

After their marriage, the couple must love, help, and support each other in any activity they perform. Here the happy couple carry corn from their field together.


dka-Skn

qkn-rtis jlok-eov-Woa-Skn-HV-CPJx-Vbk-Ehk-Hfh 13 cia-wyJa-HV Wlv-Woc-QUh-Skn-FK-DI-qP-Dp-Vbln-cPa-nka Lfn-dka-jlok-jWugls-aYbs-QUh-Skn-ehks-jVia-rYba jjthc-Grh-els-Woa-HV-Rhls-Vbkc-jlok-cPa-nka-Fkd-Vbk-Ehk xk-Rbcx-qP-Dp-figs-dbkc jqugl-Grh-QUh-Skn-HV-jdpf-Grxb-Ga-Dpg-fp-xp-eYd rtu eK-rcia-EiJa-zhk...

A ceremony for the dead

Thirteen days after the burial of a dead person, their family performs a cere­mony to free the spirit. They build a statue and dress it in the clothes of the deceased. Two men go to the cemetery and invite the spirit to join the ceremony at home. At the end of the ceremony the spirit is liberated and can go to its next life.



Fov

divWuark WIaI

div-Wua-eUb-dka-jtuld
Hmong Life (Language: Lao and English)
div-Wua-eUb-dka-jtuld
  

dka-fI-tos-Ep-cPf-wls-jQogk-xoJs

wNaLfn jjesWI HDtp jEis-Ru, jjShxLfn FPdos

Hmong Life

-

ÜÝÜ


-SiJs-jRula-

Eoa-jQogk-xoJs-xid-SiJs-jRula-xYs-rnhk, Hxh-HQb, Hxh-jjVha... VYd-jVia-EiJa-fNc-EU-fPa-BUb-Bigs-Bkn-dia-HV-Skx-Laa-qU rtu eia-qU jjtK-ehlx-jjVs-BUb-jtuJlnA-qkn-rtis 2+4 Vp.

Building a house

Hmong people build simple houses with only one floor. The roof is made of grass, bamboo, wood, and palm leaves. The houses are usually found on mountain slopes and need to be repaired every two to four years.


vhkaxoJs

VK-Ek-Eoa-jQogk-xoJs xid-SiJs-jRula-jjvv-tNv-sbkn DI-xK-fkA vmg-xp-Vbls-BhNx jjSb-xp-VK-SU-els-fhka: VK-SU-fhka-rahk GEh-eI-tiv-Hrch-Qp jjtK-jRif-qP-Dp-SbksA. ebca-fhka-whks-jjxba-GEh-Dogc-HV-jjvv-Eoa-jQogk-lugaA.

A Hmong village

Hmong houses are very simple with no windows and two large doors. The front door is only for spirit chanting and ceremonies, while the side door is for entering and exiting the house.


jdpftUd

DYdA-jDugl-Dpg-jdpf-tUd jjxb jjtK-tUd-ahln FK-Shls-ala-jDPs-rnhk-Wk BUb-whks-jSok-Hz-Grh-Rlf 3 xuJ jqugl-Grh-xp-Wckx-lov-lYba-Fkd-jSok-Hz. lpd-Bbks-raygs Eoa-jQogk-xoJs-nis-jEugl-Cu-dia-cbk rnhk-Wk-ek-xkf-Vod-Vhls-jfid-ahln Fkd-qcd-Qp-Dpg-xid-xk-tov-dca-jjl-ahln dbla-rahk-Dpg-vmg-Dia-SiJs-Eug jjtK-eUb-wcia.

A new baby

After Hmong women give birth, both they and their baby sleep on a pile of grass close to the fire, to keep warm, for the first three days. We also believe that the grass bed gives protection from the evil spirits that haunt the baby until it is named.


dPajwoJk

dka-dPa-jwoJk-jjSb-tK-WiJs-wls-jQogk-xoJs Shls-tm-Chk-Grh-DYd-Woa-xk-Wov-dbla jjthc-Fygs-dPa. ebca-rtkn-jQogk-xoJs-FK-dPa-jwoJk-Fhkc jjtK-aigs-Sigs-DYd-WiJs.

Meals

When we eat together we always wait for everybody to finish before leaving. During the meal we sit on small wooden chairs and often eat steamed rice and drink water.


DIaknfhcnHwb

jxugl-xp-dka-jFiv-Hwh-Hfh-Vbcn jQogk-xoJs-xid-FK-HV-rk-rxm-xoa jqugl-DI-akn-jvPgscbk Qp-rnis-jRif-Grh-jFiv. Lfn-dka-Div-Hwb-Geb-Chcn jjthc-DI-akn-Skx-zlf-wls-Hwb-Skx-jjSb-tK-DPf.

The egg

Hmong people believe that by breaking an egg into a bowl of water and watching the froth that appears we can learn about the ailments of the sick.


xhk

DYdA-jEoJk Eoa-jQogk-xoJs-FK-HV-HRb HV-eca jVia-wK-vca rtu Wlv-Woc qhlx-Dis-jFbn-tUd jjtK FUs-xhk-HV-aI jqugl-FK-Hfh-Sbks-jWugls-wls-Fkd-HRb-div-vhka-Ga-Sla-jjts. xhk-jVia-qk-rK-aK-SoJa-Sm-wls-Eoa-jQogk-xoJs-QUh-Dpg-fI-tos-EpcPf-BUb-jwf-qU-eUs.

Horses

When the Hmong go to work in the fields every morning the women often carry their children on their backs. Horses are also taken to and from the fields. They can carry heavy loads, which is important in the countryside.


tosxoados

rtis-Fkd DI-akn-RUh-Qp-Dpg-jRif-Grh-jFiv-jjthc Fygs-HV-jEpa-rxm-xoa-xk tos-xoa-dos “VPga-Voc”. rxm-xoa-FK-Bua-BUb-jDPs-LSK-nkc Ga-dks-jRula Lff-jSiJa, eiga-dK-fPs jjtK-dos-jrtid-Dpg-xp-jjrca, eNs-fis-eK-rtiv-Eiv-Ehla jqugl-jVia-dka-akv-wUb-Qp jRif-Grh-Woa-jFiv-fp-wyJa.

Spirit chanter

When an evil spirit has possessed someone we invite a spirit chanter into our home to perform a ceremony. The chanter performs a dance on a bench in the middle of the house. He holds some small chimes in his left hand and a steel circle in his right. He chants loudly to scare the evil spirit. We believe that only when the evil spirit has left will the sick person get better.


Spjrtid

qcd-QUh-Ekn-jjxba-xp-Wckx-EI-aP-EI-aka Ga-dka-Sp-jrtid-jEiga: xpf, qhk, eNx, wcka... jqugl-DI-dka-QK-tPf.

Blacksmith

Hmong men are skilled blacksmiths. They mainly make knives, spades, hoes and axes.


eidjwoJk

jQogk-xoJs-jjxba-xp-Wckx-fY-rxiga-wK-rnia-qNa-Ga-dka-VUd-Zis-jEiga: VUd-jwoJk, ek-tp, jQuld, xia jjtK-lugaA... Sla-apJ jwok-jFoJk-dI-tis-eid-jwoJk-HRb.

Farmers

Hmong people are diligent and hardworking. Hmong are able farmers and many work in agriculture. We grow rice, corn, potatoes and more. This couple is growing rice.


Cidjjebc

qcd-QUh-nPs-jjxba-xp-Wckx-EI-aP-EI-aka-Ga-dka-SX-rUd Dm-Hrx, rnPv-jjebc tcx-Dis-jWugls-aYbs-rogx-SbksA... jEPgs-qk-ek-xoJs-jlpJa-cbk “GE Vbk jfoJk”.

Needlework

Hmong women are very talented and proficient with fabric, stitching and making various handicrafts.


lpJcektp

jwok-jFoJk-dI-tis-lpJc-ek-tp “Lxh-ek-tp” jqugl-SoJx jjthc-aI-HV-jdul-rxU-Grh-SYhn-qp Lfn-eK-jqkK-jjxba-rxU-Dpg-thNs-Hch-eI-tiv-vYa-dPa-FNs.

Grinding corn

Here the men are milling corn to feed to their pigs. We like our male pigs very fat so that there is more to share when we kill them for the New Year celebrations.


SIjwoJk

DYdA-jEoJk rtu rtis-Fkd dPa-jwoJk-jjts WUb-Qoc-jxn rtu eK-xk-EPd-Ga-Wlv-Woc FK-Shls-SI-jwoJk-jVuld jqugl-jlok-jwoJk-eka-thNs-Wlv-Woc.

Pounding rice

Every morning and evening after eating, we pound the rice, to remove the husks, for their next meal.


vYa-dPa-FNs

New Year Festival


DYdA-Vp Eoa-jQogk-xoJs-FK-Fif-ska-vYa-dPa-FNs. Ga-ska-FK-xp-dka-jjwbs-wia-dP-tk eiv-rxkd-wbks jlpJacbk “jfok SUb tUh” jjtK-dP-tk-lugaA-jEiga: jSpx-jB (HR du jEin), jVogk-Vpg, jVogk-jjWa, nPs-rahk jqugl-ehks-via-nk-dkf jjtK-eK-jjfs-eP-tK-VK lia-jVia-jl-dK-tid-wls-jQogk-xoJs Ga-ska-vYa-SbksA.

The New Year festival is organised every year. Traditional games, such as toy top racing (dao tou lou), are still played.

Next page: Traditional arts are presented at the festival. These include folk singing, flute and khaen playing, bamboo arrow shooting, and dancing.


VblnsocEoadia

apJ-Wu dka-Vbln-soc-Eoa-dia jVia-lpd-dPf-FK-dI-raygs-Ga-dka-eK-rtls-vYa-dPa-FNs soc-ebca-rtkn jjxba-wls-GQ-QUh-raygs-Dpg-xp-Wckx-fY-rxiga jjtK lof-Doa-Ga-dka-thNs-soc jjtK-Shls-Hfh-ela-jVia-qP-jef jqugl-nkf-jlok-HE-EK-aK-Fkd-WUb-Smg-eUh.

Ox fights

Ox fighting is one of the biggest New Year celebrations. The oxen’s owners spend the year raising them and teaching them how to fight. The more practiced and skilled ox will win honor for its owner.


jjwbsxhk

-jjwbs-xhk-dmg-jVia-lpd-dPf-FK-dI-raygs-Ga-ska-vYa-dPa-FNs.

Racing

Horseracing is another tradition that is involved in the New Year ceremonies.


eogsDhknVpjdogk

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The New Year

This procession is known as leu sou and sees off the old year before welcoming in the new. The entire village comes together in a big group, along with their extended family and others from the same tribe. They all walk through a plaited grass loop three times. The tribe’s spirit chanter holds a large chicken in his hand and chants away everybody’s bad luck with the passing of the old year.


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After the procession each family returns to their home where they have a private ceremony to welcome the new souls into their homes. This includes the souls of people, animals, plants, money, and more. The head of the family is the soul chanter and he stands inside the house. By the front door there are two chickens, and an egg for each person in the family.


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Courtship

Throwing cotton balls is a Hmong tradition for boys and girls. Couples who marry often met this way. The girl has the right to find the boy who threw the ball she caught. When she finds him he cannot refuse her.


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Love

When a Hmong boy and girl fall in love and want to marry, the boy must take the girl to his house without her parents’ knowledge. She is expected to put up a show of resistance. Later, after she has reached the boy’s home, two of his friends are sent to inform her parents. In the past, it was common for girls to be “stolen” in this manner, against their will. Modern customs forbid this, but it still happens in some villages.


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The basi

After the couple stays in the boy’s house for three days, the family performs a Basi ceremony to welcome their new daughter-in-law. This is known as the hou plee kou nya. It is not a wedding ceremony but an introduction to the family’s spirit.


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The wedding

Hmong villages celebrate weddings with a big party. They make and consume great piles of food, and drink many bottles of alcohol. Hmong drinking is unique, as after your first drink you must take two shots at a time, every time!


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After marriage

After their marriage, the couple must love, help, and support each other in any activity they perform. Here the happy couple carry corn from their field together.


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A ceremony for the dead

Thirteen days after the burial of a dead person, their family performs a cere­mony to free the spirit. They build a statue and dress it in the clothes of the deceased. Two men go to the cemetery and invite the spirit to join the ceremony at home. At the end of the ceremony the spirit is liberated and can go to its next life.



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