Traditionally, Hmong passed down their history orally or through story cloths (paj ntaub). A Romanized writing system was developed by missionaries in the 1950s.

What is a Hmong tradition?

The Hmong religion is traditionally animist (animism is the belief in the spirit world and in the interconnectedness of all living things). At the center of Hmong culture is the Txiv Neeb, the shaman (literally, father/master of spirits). According to Hmong cosmology, the human body is the host for a number of souls.

What was the traditional political structure of the Hmong people?

There is no political organization above the village level in traditional Hmong society. An assembly of male lineage elders makes local decisions and discusses problems or arbitrates disputes. At these assemblies women also take informal part.

Why are the Hmong stateless?

The Hmong people are considered a stateless nation because the Hmong could never be established by a higher government. The government pushed the Hmong people away, so there was no chance of being established in China or the United States. Because the U.S. already has established States inside of their nation.

What caused the Hmong to migrate to the United States?

Opium was their only cash crop. In the late 1960s, when the Vietnam War spread into Laos, the United States recruited the Hmong to fight against communism. Wanting to hold on to their land and the independence they had maintained for thousands of years, the Hmong saw communism as a threat to their autonomy.

How many Hmong died in the Vietnam War?

In the two worst years of the both the American War in Vietnam and the Secret War in Laos, 18,000 Hmong soldiers were killed in combat, in addition to thousands more civilian casualties.

Where do most Hmong live in the US?

The states with the largest number of Hmong immigrants are California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. According to Census 2000, 84 percent of Hmong immigrants are concentrated in three states: 41,133 (or 40 percent) live in California, 26,234 (or 26 percent) in Minnesota, and 19,349 (or 19 percent) in Wisconsin.

How many Hmong soldiers died during the Vietnam War?

18,000 Hmong soldiers In the two worst years of the both the American War in Vietnam and the Secret War in Laos, 18,000 Hmong soldiers were killed in combat, in addition to thousands more civilian casualties.

How do you say hello in Hmong hippo?

0:151:47Common Phrases in Hmong Language - YouTubeYouTube

How many souls does a Hmong person have?

12 souls The Hmong believe each person has 12 souls, and one of the common acts perpetrated by evil spirits is to steal one of these souls. A person missing one of the 12 souls will be ill. In the Hmong religion, which has no separate name since the religion is part and parcel of the culture, adherents believe in reincarnation.

Where do most Hmong live in America?

The states with the largest number of Hmong immigrants are California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. While the foreign-born Hmong make up less than one-half of one percent of the foreign-born population in the United States, they account for approximately 10 percent of immigrants in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Which US state has the most Hmong?

According to 2010 Census data, California has the largest Hmong population in the United States — more than 91,000 call the Golden State home. Minnesota ranks second, with more than 66,000, and Wisconsin is third, with a Hmong population of about 49,000.