hmong culture presentation
DESCRIPTION
For CHS classTRANSCRIPT
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