Hmong Story Cloth

The hardship the Hmong people have to endure. History is recorded down on the cloth. A tradition our ancestors have been doing for thousands of years after the banned of Hmong scripts and the burning of Hmong books.

"Kawm Ntaub Kawm Ntawv" a famous phrase that is use to encourage the young generations. It simply means "Learn the cloth, learn the scripts." When you learn the cloth, you will learn the scripts and the history of the Hmong people.

Pictures are not mine.
Song: Nco Qub Teb Chaw (Missing the old homeland) by Mai Neng Thao

Category:

Education

Tags:

• hmong
• hmoob
• story
• cloth
• tradition
• pa
• ntaub
• flower
• lifestyle
• mai
• neng
• thao
• longcheng
• plight
• journey
• history
• culture
• secret
• war

[aliasdoe007]

Surely you must know there is, has been, only 'paj ntaub', embroidery=flower cloth in Hmong SE Asia pre-1975. Western Hmong story cloth is post 1975. Thought that was clear. No Hmong story cloth existed since. And Miao ones are irrelevant, off topic. For someone who claims insight your research and rationale is questionable but believe what you want. It's misleading and unethical academically.

[niamtxiv]

@aliasdoe007

I hope you read my info. No where did I state about story cloth. I stated that history is recorded by cloths. I hope that if you wish to insult me, go ahead. Clearly, story cloth is also found among the Central Miao as well. I guess you haven't do your research.

[niamtxiv]

If you knew how to read, you would understand that story cloth is different from flower cloth to other forms of cloth. Our people have always been recording history on cloths from symbols, patterns, to zig zag and etc.... I guess you haven't done enough research.

[aliasdoe007]

@niamtxiv Yes, I'm always researching because I cannot take anything for granted. There exist too many hearsay and theories already. Someone needs to sift through them. Why not if one wants sound info and knowledge versus ill-information or baseless assumption, tales, and rhetoric. Is that not the principal ethic of a scholar or Hmong enthusiast? My belief ofcourse.

[niamtxiv]

@aliasdoe007

You have to know the differences between cultural artifacts, theories, fieldwork which often include cultural history and traditions.... the list goes on. You have to take consideration in clothes, languages, traditions, oral history and written history, propose theories and hypothesis... I will not go further with you. You are welcome to do your own research. Like it or not, I've done enough and my research are due to connecting traditions, work from scholars and history.

[storyclothfilms]

lovely. thanks for posting this.

[niamtxiv]

@MrHmongguitarplayer

maybe you if are able to provide some videos, then I'll have a conversation with you.

[stetienne85]

People why all the disagreements...no wonder why peb Hmoob tsis muaj country. Just because one doesn't believe in one's finding doesn't mean one has to disrespect the other. We need to grow up and perhaps find out what is really being the cloth? I'm not a scholar nor do I HAVE TIME for some research but I do appreciate all of U guys for the stories behind it. In my opinion, the more ideas Hmong gathered, the more we can amount to something. The real story lies w/in our ancestors.

[lopallis]

the day the hmong ppl find out there past history from WAYYYYYYYYy bak.. will b the day..

[aliasdoe007]

@niamtxiv Backpedaling and grasping at straws does next to nothing to salvage the 'faux pas' over the claim of 'kawm ntaub kawm ntawv' being rooted and laced in the story cloth or embroidery. Seriously, I am more intuned to Hmong arts, culture, history (oral etc.) and tradition then you think. It is why I question to verify and confirm these new-found supposition. Ethical factfinding not whimsical conjectures ok? Thanks.