The Hmong originated from the Huang He River plains in China. In the eighteenth century, the Chinese due to expanding population chased them out of China. The Hmong then fled to southeast Asia. Today they live in the mountains of Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand. However, since they left China they have not had a territory to call their own.
Their mountainous villages, consist of 10 to 20 houses. They practice patriarchal residence patterns. Homes in the village are large enough to hold immediate families. Their homes are not considered permanent therefore, they are constructed using simple materials that are easily replaced, but are not the most sturdy.
Daily life: During the day men and women will tend to rice patties and gardens. Diet among the Hmong consists mainly of rice, vegetables such as beans, squash, and carrots, and melons. Women also spend a lot of free time on embroidery in clothing. Men spend time hunting for small game and birds to supplement their diet. Men hold public positions of power and prestige, while women are in charge of everything in the homes. Men are the public voices for their families
With the Hmong, the bride’s family gives a dowry to the groom’s family right before the marriage. Women typically marry younger than men. Women will marry between the ages of 14-17 while men marry between the ages of 18-21. Once they marry, the bride will move to the groom’s village. There they will get their own home, which is a symbol of prestige. After they get married, having children will be the next step taken by the couple to gain respect from their community.
Population growth: Within the United States immigrants, Hmong have gained a reputation for large families, however this is not the case in South East Asia. There, they have a low rate of population growth (approximately 2%). They do however have high birth rates. Due to a lack of medical care and potential food shortages the infant mortality rates are still high.
Refereces:
Quincy, Keith. Hmong History of a People. Cheney: Eastern Washington University Press, 1988.
Grover, Herbert. Glimpses of Hmong History and Culture. Arlington: National Indochinese Clearinghouse, Center for applied Lingustics, 1985.
Tep, Sinian. Telephone interview. December 7, 2000.
by, Kristina Lillie