hmong culture presentation

From about 2004 to 2007 I worked with the Hmong

people living in North Carolina. For all of 2007 I was on the staff of the UHA, under

a grant provided by the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.

• 15,000 statewide, 250,000 nationwide• 12,000+ in 4 counties• 902% population growth 1990-2000• 4th largest Hmong region in US• Largest Hmong region in Southeast• Growth slower now, but still increasing• ~75% animist, ~25% Christian

Hmong In North Carolina

NC Hmong Risk Factors

• 31% high school graduates

• 33% families earn <$20,000/year

• >90% say they need languagervices & support

• 2nd largest immigrant group in NC

• Low 10-15% approval for public health services

Most Hmong in North Carolina . . .

• Still prefer and first visit the shaman when sick

• Wait till late in progress of illness to seek help beyond the shaman

• Present too often with late-stage illnesses

• Do not understand basic prevention and health maintenance

Who Are The Hmong?

• Pre-date Chinese migration into China, were there at least 2000 years ago

• Migrated into southeast Asia in past 300 or so years

• French colonial Indochina, WWII and opium production

• U.S. involvement in Vietnam, CIA Secret War

Who Are The Hmong, continued

• Flight from Laos, refugee camps, genocide

• 1980s migrations to U.S., settlement areas

• Repatriation under Clinton Administration, arrest of General Vang Pao in 2007

Cultural Characteristics: Authority

• Family• Clan• Village• Tribe

• Patriarchy• Elders• Gender

identity• Family roles

Cultural Characteristics: Individuals

“Meo,” White/Green/Flower Hmong, Montagnards (Fr., not Vietnamese tribe)

• Animism• Spirits• Ancestors• Limited Buddhism

Cultural Characteristics: Worldview

Cultural Characteristics: Education

• Banned written language• Literacy• Impact on U.S. agencies

Cultural Characteristics: Health

• Shamans• Talk through husband• Postpartum chicken soup• Changing needs in U.S.

Cultural Characteristics: Rural

• Settlement patterns• Agricultural• Animal sacrifice

Cultural Charactericstics: Human Rights and Trust

• Military identification• Conservative vote• Sponsoring churches• Saying what is expected

Cultural Characteristics: Customs

• Baci String-tying ritual

• Death and funerals

• New year

Holli’s Personal Anecdotes: Animal Sacrifice

• Escape from Laos• Ongoing genocide

Holli’s Personal Anecdotes: “Crossing The River”

Holli’s Personal Anecdotes: No Vegetables & Chicken Soup

Culture In Transition