Writing with Thread

[mneetdo]

thanks for sharing,

its brilliantly curated

[blongsiab]

Thanks for sharing this video I was in China for New Year. The Hmong no longer celebrate New Year on their lunar calender but they celebrate it on the Han lunar calender now so that they are in sync with the entire country. It saddens me greatly to see the the Hmong (miao) clothes in China being made by sewing machines. Most can't even make them by hand anymore. I have come to understand that they need to make a living so they had lost a lot for modernization.

[MrsNtxhaishmoobusa]

the patam on the clothes is our writing. we had known that. we put it on our clothes so we would keep it for ever. no matter where we lived it always go with us.

[niamtxiv]

@MrsNtxhaishmoobusa

You are correct. We have known for a long time that the paj ntaub on our clothes are our writing scripts. This is why the word for learning is "kawm ntaub kawm ntawv." Learn the cloth, learn the scripts. Our scripts were embedded onto our clothes. Sadly, through many generations, the meaning of these scripts were lost; however, there are still some Hmong elders, who can interpret these scripts in term of religious rituals.

[jephboy]

@niamtxiv

That's exactly what I've been saying for ages... ok, the last 20 years. I'm actually writing a historical fiction story right now about a Hmong teen who goes back in time to learn about the paj ntaub and why he needs to appreciate it. Hopefully, my son will read the book someday?

[adaneth]

Yes, please tell me where I can get information on this exhibition. Will it come to Northern Californai? Who is in charge of the exhibition?

The story about the map on their backs left me in tears too. My grandma always cry when she tells us about stories her grandmother told her about what happened in China.

[niamtxiv]

I so want to go to this exhibition when it was display in Wisconsin. I wish this exhibition comes to Northern California. I really want to see and listen to Miao history and lectures.

[hetty922]

@adaneth The exhibition is over but you may buy the catelogue from University Of Hawaii Art Gallery.

[niamtxiv]

Great information. I wonder if this exhibition will be display in Northern California?

[hmglor]

Great video.

[Scorpio07JJ]

Simple fantastic video!!! Thanks for upload :)

[ilubpigeon]

coool vid

[UHmagazine]

Thank you everyone for the positive and interesting comments about our video.

The exhibition at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa has ended, but you can see this show next year:

Jan 31-Apr 12, 2009

Madison, WI

Chazen Museum

May 15-Aug 16, 2009

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Museum of International Folk Art

[Scythian27]

good pieces of arts...i have seen that video before.

[ilubpigeon]

I love Miao culture because I have many Miao friends and they are very kind people.

[MeyKhuangPien]

This is amazing, and she completely explained, so briefly, the true beauty that lies within the embroidery of these works. I would love to visit this museum one day.

[niamtxiv]

Yes. I notice in some of the Yao and Miao clothing, there seems to be a similar pattern. eg. square motifs. look like representative of ancient city. I do know that there are some cities in ancient Chinese history that have been abandoned like Yangshao, Shang and etc... The city of Yangshao is a square like city with stone wall. The City has been buried underground. While looking at Red Yao and Baiku Yao, I notice the square designs.

[MeyKhuangPien]

Right. The Baiku Yao in particular, and even the Pan Yao have these kinds of designs which are known as the Yao Brocade. The Baiku designs however, look very similar to the Miao ethnic. All in all, they are such wonderful pieces of ethnic style.

[boyjohnnyyoyo]

Extraordinary B-U-T-ful! Beautifully amazing! Nicely done! Very informative and explanatorily. Just fascinating! These clothing have always been a been a key of symbols to the Hmong/Miao from the ancient times to the present days. There are so many decorations and a hand full of a variety clothing designated to every tribes in each clans. This is just beautiful! Thanks for the upload!

[missenchant]

~Fascinating and True!~ I think that much more of the richly unique Miao culture should be deeply researched and preserved.

Thank you for uploading!!!!!!!!!

[niamtxiv]

The ancient city of our people. This explains why the Miao often have the square designs behind their back. My mother often said that the designs must be the same. I've once asked her, can you change it and what is the meaning behind these symbols. She said, " No, it must be the same because it has always been the symbol our ancestors carried with them." This is why the Miao/Hmong always talk about Vaj Hmoob. Vaj which means Court, Palace and Kingdom. It makes perfect sense.

[anotherzly]

AMAZING! Thanks for the sharing. btw, in Chinese 王(wang) means king.

[niamtxiv]

Beautiful. Well explain. These symbols represent the city, the arrows and bows, and the beauty the Miao people hold. I am sadden yet happy at the same time. Beautiful collection, I have always wanted to collect Miao clothing.