Tearing Down Walls - Hmong New Year 2009

During the 2009 Minnesota Hmong New Year we went and ask many people about their Religous Beliefs and survey their understanding of it. Thank You to all who we Interviewed.

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[Lonely401]

the last comment of the video cracked me up... either go up to heaven or down to hell? Some Christians dont even believe in hell... and i feel bad for those who was coming down the stairs when he said that...

[linian21]

I don't care what you say. Shamanism is a RELIGION. It's not a culture, it's not a tradition.

[npaujbais]

@kmxhlivn The Chinese named Hmongs "miao" after a type of weed, not after cats. This is how the name originated: "Miao" is a type of weed; incredibly hard to cultivate and get rid off, is like the Hmong; difficult to conform or change to become like the "rest" and unlikely to die off. Thus, Hmong are "miao" like the unrurly weed.

[npaujbais]

@kmxhlivn well said. culture is influenced by surrounding cultures and will change over time. it's just not possible to maintain a pure culture because practices will get interchanged. e.g. the string tying tradition that many Hmong uses these days in wedding ceremonies, hu plig ceremonies and such, was adopted from the Laotians. This generation of Hmong kids speak simplified Hmong with English as a substitute. Our parents are like this also, they speak Hmong with some Laotian.

[kmxhlivn]

The wonderful thing about many of Hmong Christians, especially those who switched from Shamanism to Christianity, is their ability to separate what is "culture" from what is "religion". Though not an easy feat, in choosing Christianity, many were able see and define themselves as once "Hmong," "Shamanist," and now "Christian." Sadly, and ironically, these same Christians, especially the older generation, separate "culture" from "religion" so much to the point of being legalistic and religious

[kmxhlivn]

A lot of people do not know how to separate religion from culture. Because the Hmong culture is a religious-culture, it's almost impossible for a Hmong Shamanist to divide belief from life unless he or she divides him or her "self." The ways of the Shaman has had such a great influence on the Hmong people and the Hmong community that "Belief" is according to the way of "Life" and "Life is according to the way of "Belief". Like other 3rd World Tribes, the Hmong Culture is a "Shaman-Culture."

[kmxhlivn]

@kchmoobhawj : The only substantial and empirical Hmong cultural evidence that can be historically referenced and/or compared beyond Chinese history is the posts on the doors, especially the one outside the front door. While the Chinese have something similar to the Hmong drum, and ancestral alters as well, the Chinese to not practice the posting of Spirit Money on the front door. The only other culture that does something similar to that is the Hebrew culture, with the blood of lamb.

[kmxhlivn]

@kchmoobhawj : It's a fallacy--a wrong way of thinking--to do something or believe in something just because, "this is what my parents do." Why? Because if one is to base culture SUBSTANTIALLY on the past, which I don't always agree with, it would require generations of empirical evidence dating back at least 500 years. To claim that, "Hmong are Chinese", is wrong because "Hmong" is not found and not claimed by the Chinese, except for a few references about them being "Miao" or "Cats".

[kmxhlivn]

@kchmoobhawj : Though a lot of Hmong people try and yearn to regain and recapture what is "Hmong", the truth of the matter is that no one really knows just what exactly is "Hmong." Without a written history, or a written language (not the English version created by missionaries), the only things foundationally "ancient" are folk tales. To then assume that what you know NOW is and has always been what "Hmong" is presumptuous, premature, and ignorant. Almost anything's up for grabs.

[kmxhlivn]

Though unsaid, it is strongly assumed that the Hmong are trying to scavenge and and regain the little of what's left of the crumbling and dissipating "Hmong Culture". When it comes to "culture", the traditional ways of dating, marrying, occupation, and marital roles is somewhat shifting. And when it comes to "religion", Shamanism is practiced without clear or detailed understanding of how and why rituals are practiced--even knowing "what" exactly to do is being blurred through the generations

[MsYang13]

I think that everyone is opinionated to their level of understanding and thinking. This video is simply a message to try to understand the two worlds of Shamanism and Christianity, not trying to convert anyone.

And for those who seem opposed to what this message is trying to convey, please don't judge. One cannot state that Christianity is a cult, a fake religion,etc. if they have never been there and likewise. From any form of intention, this video is aimed towards comprehension not division.

[FABULOUSxME13]

You believe what you want to, but do as your heart pleases you.