hmong - wordpress.com...the secret war laos, a small, land-locked country...played a strategically...
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HMONGKEEBKWM
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Preserving the Hmong
Heritage in Catawba County
The MissionThis preservation project was titled, “Hmong Keeb Kwm.” Keeb kwm is a Hmong
phrase that embodies history, traditions, and background.
Goals of the project:
● Preserve the culture
● Build community
● Foster collaboration
● Make it accessible
Who are the Hmong?Hmong /hmôNG/ is an ethnic minority scattered throughout Asia. They are a subgroup of
the Miao from China. Those living in the United States are from Southeast Asia, primarily
Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, where they live in isolated mountain villages.
The Secret WarLaos, a small, land-locked country...played a strategically pivotal,
though secret, role for both the North Vietnamese and the
Americans during their 15-year long fight for the control of
Indochina. In Laos, the North Vietnamese built and developed
their critical supply route complex to South Vietnam and later to
Cambodia, known as the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
In Laos, the Americans, with strong commitments to contain
communism at the borders of “Red China” and to keep the first
domino from falling, and the Hmong, with their dislike of the
Vietnamese and their desire to be free, came together in a
common cause… The Americans lost and retreated across the
ocean; the Hmong remained behind to be savaged by the
conquerors.
Jane Hamilton-Merritt, Tragic Mountains
Hmong in the United StatesThere is an estimated
260,073 Hmong living in the
United States. At 10,864
North Carolina has the fourth
largest population of Hmong,
following behind California,
Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Hmong is the fifth largest
Asian group in the United
States.
Hmong in Catawba CountyAlthough scattered throughout
the US upon arrival, the
Hmong quickly moved and
settled in communities with
one another. Many Hmong
moved to North Carolina for
the topography which is
similar to their homeland, the
furniture and textile industry,
and farming.
The majority of Hmong in North Carolina are concentrated in Catawba and
the surrounding counties.
http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/fact-sheet/asian-americans-hmong-in-the-u-s/
Preserving the CultureRecognizing the need to preserve and represent the large presence of the Hmong in their
community, the Catawba County Library and Historical Association of Catawba County,
received a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to collect and digitize
artifacts from the Hmong community in Catawba County.
Collection events took place in 2018 and will be preserved online through
North Carolina Digital Heritage.
Collections yielded 16 participants and over 145 artifacts including photos,
documents, physical objects (digitized) and oral histories.
Collection Days
February Collection 1: Newton Library
March Collection 2: St. Stephens Library
April Collection 3: Conover
Library
May Collection 4: True Life
Alliance Church
June Collection 5: Partnership
with Hmong Southeast Puav Pheej
Building Community
Kick-Off!
February during Collection 1
Dance performances by
Challenger High School
International Club and Laim Txias
dance team
Refreshments
News coverage by Hickory Daily
Record
May Day
Celebration
Held at the Conover Library,
this was a showcase of Hmong
traditional performing arts.
Performances included kwv
txhiaj (song poetry), qeej
(bamboo pipes) playing, xim
xaus (hmong violin), nraj
nplaim (reed flute) and dance
performances.
Panel DiscussionHeld in April as a platform for discussing the Hmong’s background, adjustment to American
culture, and the hopes for the Hmong in the future.
Panelists:
Dr. May Khang, Admissions Counsellor and International Student Affairs
Catawba Valley Community College
Mrs. Kay Ying Lo, Bilingual Specialist
Catawba County Schools
Dr. Richy Xiong, Intern Pastor
True Life Alliance Church
Deputy Darren Yang
Catawba County Police Department
Book Discussions
As part of the summer reading challenge, the
Catawba County Library held a community
read of the books, The Song Poet by Kao Kalia
Yang and the poetry anthology, Bamboo
Among the Oaks by Mai Neng Moua.
Participants were able to choose to attend
either of three evenings for discussion.
Each discussion included a guest speaker who
shared their first person experience of the
Vietnam war and refugee life.
Fostering CollaborationCHURCHESTrue Life Alliance Church● First Hmong Alliance Church
SCHOOLSUniversity of NC Greensboro, volunteers● University of NC Charlotte, Hmong Student Association●
Appalachian State University, Hmong Society Club● St.Stephens Elementary● Lyle Creek Elementary●
Challenger Early College High School, International Club● Catawba Valley Community College, Celebration
of Nations
COMMUNITY GROUPSLaim Txias, Hmong dance group● Cheemeng and Cheemoua, Qeej performers● Paj Zeb Lauj, performer●
Niam Ntxoov Zeb, song poet● Geniey Yang Campaign Group● Hmong Southeast Puavpheej● Southeast
Asian Coalition
AREA BUSINESSESSaigon Garden● Pho777 Vietnamese Cuisine● Asian Supermarket● Vinai Asian-International Market● K-
Oriental Market● Delicious Southeast Asian Cuisine
MEDIAHickory Daily Record● Hmong North Carolina- Facebook group
The Hmong presence in Catawba County plays into a greater story. Inspired by
the Hmong heritage project, the Historical Association furthers the celebration of
culture with their exhibit “Unpacking.” Housed in the History Museum of Catawba
County, the exhibit contains artifacts and stories representing and reflecting
Catawbans today. It highlights objects that define everyday life and milestones and
emphasizes the importance of immigration to our economy and community.
Making it Accessible
Participants of the Hmong Keeb Kwm heritage project received flash
drives containing their digitized items. Photos, artifacts, documents, and
oral histories that were collected will be made available on the NC Digital
Heritage Library website.
Sourceshttps://www.observernewsonline.com/content/hmong-presence-increases-county-state-%E2%80%A8
http://www.hmongstudies.org/PfeiferSullivanKYangWYangHSJ13.2.pdf
http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/fact-sheet/asian-americans-hmong-in-the-u-s/
Hamilton-Merritt, J. (1999). Tragic mountains: The Hmong, the Americans and the secret wars for Laos, 1942-1992.
Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
Questions?Dr. Amber Clawson, Director- Historical Association of Catawba County
30 N College Ave, Newton, NC 28658 (828) 465-0383 [email protected]
Siobhan Loendorf, Associate Director- Catawba County Library115 W C St, Newton, NC 28658 (828) 465-8664 [email protected]
Houa Yang, Hmong Keeb Kwm project coordinator- Catawba County Library, Sherrills Ford-Terrell9154 Sherrills Ford Rd, Terrell, NC 28682 (828) 466-6827 [email protected]