12/6/20111A Brief Look at the Hmongby KaShia MouaDecember 6, 2011Origins of the Hmong Scholars, anthropologists and linguistic experts have studied the Hmong but they do not agree as to their origins. The most recent ancestry can be traced to China. Within China’s diverse ethnic population, the Hmong are known as Miao.There is no HmonglandHmong in China Hmong live primarily in Guizhou & Yunnan provinces (red stars) Origins near Huang (Yellow River; see arrow)Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection, University of Texas at Austin www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_china/china_pol196.jpgHistorical Timeline200 B.C. – 1810 A.D -The Hmong occupied the Yellow River region of China and survived the many dynasties that ruled ChinaBut things change… The Qing Dynasty aka Manchu Dynasty (1644-1912) The Dynasty reached its peak in the 18thcentury Territory & population increases Chinese culture gets integrated12/6/20112How did Chinese and Hmong culture CLASH?ChopsticksSpoons LANGUAGERELIGIONEither assimilate to Chinese culture or……be killedor…get out12/6/20113Thousands are killed…Millions Flee China1790-1860 Hmong flee persecution in China Millions fled to Southeast Asia (Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma, Thailand)Hmong in Laos1860-1960: The Hmong maintained relative peace in the highlands of Laos Living in LaosFarming in Laos Cooking in Laos12/6/20114Playing in LaosPeace ends,War begins.Leading up to the Vietnam War…1946: The beginning of the Cold War; Viet Minh establishes presence in Eastern Laos in Hmong territory 1953: Viet Minh invades Hmong homelands in northern Laos1963-1975The U.S. Secret Army in Laos & the Vietnam War Hmong in CIA’s Secret War in Laos 1963-1975 Late 1950s: “Mr. Pop” Edgar Buell, linked to U.S. Information Office, worked with Hmong in Laos 1961: CIA rep. Colonel Bill Lair met with Vang Pao, leader of the Hmong army in Laos Initiation of secret cooperation between Hmong and CIA in Laos“Mr. Pop” Edgar BuellHmong National DevelopmentA “Secret War” Hmong soldiers were recruited under the direction of General Vang Pao, a general under the Laotian Army, to fight in the “Secret War”12/6/20115the promise…What happens to Hmong men? Hmong boys as young as 8 years old are recruited to fight Hmong soldiers are trained to fly planes Hmong soldiers rescue American pilots/planes that are shot down in Laos Hmong soldiers guard supply trailsWhat happens to Hmong families? Families are separated & displaced Families lose their grandfathers, fathers, husbands, brothers and sons Families live on foot, traveling to different locations on a daily, weekly basis Babies and children die of starvation or drug over dosesWhat happens in 1975? U.S. pulls out of the war & returns to the U.S. Hmong are left behind & are viewed as traitors Hmong are hunted & killedWhat happens after the Vietnam War?Hmong in Laos crossed the Mekong River and fled to Thailand to seek temporary refuge in Thai campsMay 1975, the beginning exodus of Hmong refugees. Only a selected few were airlifted to Thailand while thousands made the dangerous journey by foot.12/6/20116Death in the JunglesDeath in the Mekong RiverHmong in Thai Refugee CampsHmong Survivors 1976 – 1990s: Hmong refugees emigrated to the U.S., France, Australia, French Guyana and Canada 1990s: UN refugee camps in Thailand began closing; Hmong refugees migrate to non-UN camp, ie. Wat Tham Krabok 2004: Approx 15,000 Hmong resettle in U.S. when the last refugee camp is shut downMy family arrives in Eau Claire, WI April 9, 1976Looking back, Looking forward12/6/20117Smiles all aroundImmigrant vs. RefugeeImmigrant can be broadly defined as any non-citizen in the United States, except for those legally admitted under specific non-immigrant categories or status.Immigrant vs. RefugeeRefugee is defined as a person “unable or unwilling to return to his or her country of origin because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.” INA §101(a)(42)(A) ImmigrantAn immigrant’s heart arrives in the new country years before their body does.RefugeeAn refugee’s body arrives in the new country years before their heart does.Worldwide Hmong Population* China: 6,000,000 Vietnam: 787,604 Laos: 315,000 United States: 250,000 Thailand: 124,000 France: 8,000 Burma: 3,000 Australia: 1,800 French Guyana: 500-1,000*2004 Diaspora Estimates from Professor Nicholas Tapp, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia12/6/20118Top ten states with the highest Hmong population:California – 71,244Minnesota – 50,200Wisconsin – 45,268Michigan – 8,686North Carolina – 8,451Colorado – 3,875Georgia – 3,407Washington – 3,050Oregon – 2,729Florida – 1,856*U.S. Census Bureau ~2006, American Community SurveyHmong Migration Profile in the U.S.*Those currently living in the U.S.► Entered before 1990 = 59%► Entered 1990-1999 = 28.9%► Entered 2000 or later =11.7%*U.S. Census Bureau ~2006, American Community SurveyArrival of Hmong Refugees in the U.S. In 1976—the first wave of 500 Hmong to America In 1980’s—second wave of 150,000+ Hmong to America In 2004 – a smaller wave of 15, 000 Hmong refugees were resettled in the United States (from Wat Tham Krabok).Hmong in WisconsinThere are approximately 45,000 Hmong residing in Wisconsin Some of the counties with the largest populations:Dane, Eau Claire, Green Bay, La Crosse, Marathon, Milwaukee, Manitowoc, Outagamie, Sheboygan and Winnebago. *Bureau of Migrant & Refugee Labor Services, Department of Workforce Development, State of WisconsinHmong Stuff….…in generalHmong Clan System Social infrastructure is based on clan names There are 18 original clans: Chang/Cha -Lee/Ly Cheng -Lor/Lo/Lao Chue -Moua Hang -Phang/Pha Her/Herr -Thao Fang -Vang Khang/Kha -Vue Kong/Soung -Yang Kue -Xiong12/6/20119Common Traditional Hmong Values Education is highly valued Respect parents and elders Know & respect the Hmong language, culture and customs Personal belongings or assets are an indication of hard workCommon Traditional Hmong Values Cont… Peace seeking (avoid confrontations or conflicts when possible) Expect to know one's role and responsibilities as a son/daughter;
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