The Hmong people have lived in the mountainous regions of China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand since the 7th century. They also have migrated to several parts of the United States, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, California, Washington, Utah, and Michigan. In these states, you will find established Hmong Villages centred around large populations of Hmong-Americans who came here as refugees during the Secret War in Laos in the 1970s. Let’s find out more interesting facts about the Hmong Village.
1. Hmong Village History Section
The last 40 years have seen an incredible migration of refugees from Southeast Asia fleeing wars and persecution. These refugees came to the US looking for a better life.
One of these groups was the Hmong, who fled from Laos, which was ruled by Communists at the time, between 1959 and 1975. Eventually, over 150,000 people settled all over North America. There are now many Hmong Villages in the USA scattered across the country. In Minnesota alone, there are more than 20 villages and cities with a significant population of Hmong residents.
2. Culture Section of Hmong Village
There are many cultures to explore and learn about in America. With a mix of traditional and modern-day practices, one group has been an ever-present entity on this soil – The Hmong people from the Hmong village. According to reports, there are currently over 400,000 living around the United States and Canada. Mostly located in California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oregon, and Michigan.
What’s interesting is that the Hmong village often has a link back to their homeland. It’s also known as the Golden Triangle because of its unique climate for farming.
Hmong village doesn’t have paved roads, but it’s worth taking your time to visit them! It takes some navigation skills with all the unpaved roads, but it’s worth it if you want to see how other communities live outside America’s borders.
So grab your phone and GPS, or make sure you’re getting detailed directions before you go!
3. Hmong Village Unique Aspects Section
It is estimated that between 150,000 to 200,000 Hmong people live in this Hmong Village. Out of those living in America, an estimated 25-35% live in California and Wisconsin respectively.
Hmong village typically houses a community center and multiple residential homes with traditionally modest styles. These villages serve as hubs for new generations and maintain strong traditions to represent their culture.
4. Diaspora Section
The name Hmong translates to Meh, meaning the people. They are a small Asian ethnic group with an interesting and complex culture. The population of Hmong Americans is estimated at 215,000, with 71% living in California. These statistics show that there are communities of diverse populations all over the US.
The first recorded contact with outsiders was documented by Swedish explorer Anders Sparrman, who took pictures of traditional clothing worn by them.
And when French officers came to Vietnam and Laos during World War II, they were so impressed by how well-dressed these women were that they made an effort to ask for their hand in marriage – still one of their specialities!
5. Environmental Factors Section of Hmong Village
The second largest minority group in the US is made up of Hmong people, which are descendants of a group that left China at the end of a 1700-year rule. In 1949, after the Communist takeover, many fled to Vietnam and Laos.
Even more, refugees were forced out after Vietnam invaded Laos for 17 years. After spending decades as refugees or as slaves, 40% of all Laotian Americans live below the poverty level — some of them even still clinging to traditional beliefs. Today over 250,000 Hmong people are living apart from the Hmong village.
6. Health and Wellbeing Section
The Hmong village that exists in Minnesota is significantly different from its Southeast Asian counterparts. For example, in Southeast Asia, there is a lack of refrigeration systems, meaning food cannot be stored for extended periods.
However, this is not an issue for Hmong people living in America. The availability of refrigerators allows them to store any surplus food they have produced and prevent waste.
It also means they can access the same items that people outside of their community have – such as milk, bread, and vegetables – which they may not otherwise be able to afford on their low income.
7. Hmong Village Education Section
There are about 125,000 people of Hmong descent living in Minnesota. They mainly inhabit the Twin Cities and Red River Valley. Because of cultural differences, parents tend to raise their children with a sense of traditional values.
For example, elders teach children to respect their parents and other elders by lowering their heads when they approach them. Also, clothing is really important to many Hmong people because it represents their identity as a person and culture.
8. Religion, Art, and Music Section of Hmong Village
It is estimated that about two-thirds of the Hmong live within the Greater St. Paul area of Minnesota, where many are religiously active. Traditionally, animists, many Hmong retain their ancestral traditions but also incorporate elements of other religions into their faith.
Christian denominations that have played an important role in bridging the divide include Baptist and Lutheranism, while Buddhism and traditional Chinese beliefs are most commonly practiced among younger generations. About traditional celebrations, one such example is Knee Pounding Day—known locally as Luk Thiab Lub—which takes place on March 10th and marks the New Year for approximately one hundred fifty different Hmong villages around America.
9. Relationships with Americans and Other Ethnic Groups Section
As is the case with many immigrant groups, much of the tension between Hmong-Americans and other ethnic groups stems from a lack of understanding of one another. Many Americans do not understand their culture or history and are scared by their different dress and mannerisms.
Some Americans also resent that immigrants are taking away jobs that would have gone to them. On the other hand, some feel threatened by them because they know they’re new arrivals to America, but they don’t realize how long they’ve been here and what hardships they went through before immigrating. These misunderstandings can be alleviated if people are willing to reach out to each other or simply read more about each other’s cultures.
10. The Future of Hmong village
Start up a business to take care of seniors or children while they are out at work or school. It would give parents peace of mind and help kids learn skills they may not have otherwise learned. Form self-sufficiency groups that come together monthly to share information about various job openings in their communities and available resources.
This allows them to explore their possibilities without feeling alone. Work on getting official Hmong titles to keep their language and culture alive for generations of families yet to come.
