Family
Family
One of the most important aspects of Hmong culture is Family. One saying that the Hmong have is that "To be with a family is to be happy. To be without a family is to be lost.". This shows that the Hmong people value family and the more family you have the better.
Traditionally many people lived together in one house. In this house there would be many different generations that are considered one. This would include the grandparents, parents, children and wife's of any of the sons in that family. If the family was not able to stay in one house the Family would try to locate within the same area to still have that close relationship.
Clans
Clans consist of people whom share the same paternal ancestry or married into the clan. This Hmong ancestry can be separated into 18 different clans. Hmong people are close with their clan members and consider them to be brothers and sisters. Since the clans are this close it is not allowed for a male to marry a female from the same clan.
Each clan has a leader that oversees the clan and relationships with other clans outside of their own. The leader known as the Shaman has the role of handling disputes, assist with handing out punishments, and other situations. The Shaman is considered the head of the clan and therefore has other special privileges that the others in the clan do not have. The clan leader has the power to communicate with deceased ancestors of the clan with specific rituals.
Clan Names
Vang Pha
Cheng Thao
Kong Yang
Kue Xiong
Kang Lor
Her Chang (cha)
Chue Fang
Hang Lee
Moua Vue
Marriage
Marriage in the Hmong society varies just like any other culture, but it traditionally occurs between the ages of 14-18 years. One reason why Hmong society encourages young marriage is for the need for additional family members to help around the house or field. These marriages are not made by the people getting married rather their family. This is known as an arranged marriage. Once a family agrees that both their son and daughter will be wed there will be an agreement known as a bride price. The bride price is a compensation, based on the family's income, and for her new husband family for taking her on which guarantees the she will be treated with respect otherwise the marriage is voided. The bride price is usually a few thousand US dollars, but there is a maximum set up by the clans leader.
During the wedding there is a few symbols that help accompany the ceremony. One symbol is the tying of a white ribbon or string from around the wrist of the bride and groom. This symbolizes the joining of two people as one. Also there is a young hen, rooster, and a hard boiled egg involved in this ceremony. This egg is then cracked split in two and eaten by both the bride and groom. These items symbolize fertility and that the two will be blessed with many children. The ceremony will also include the burning of incense which alerts the spirit world that there is a marriage taking place. This allows the spirits to learn of the marriage and be part of the wedding. Lastly, when the wedding is over and dinner time comes it is important to serve Pork. This is a symbols that future prosperity will be upon them. However, in Hmong tradition it is not looked upon to serve food such as vegetables. Vegetables are not offered as they are a representation that you are poor and cannot afford good food.
After the marriage a bride must prove that she can assume the roles of a household wife and provide her husband loyalty. During the first year of marriage the wife should not make eye contact with other men, hold a conversation with other men, or smile at other men. This shows her devotion and loyalty to only her husband.
In the Hmong culture it is normal to have more than one wife. The male is allowed to have as many wife's as he wants as long as he can financially support his family. However, this usually creates tension between the wives by making them feel less wanted, in competition for their husband affection, and jealously towards the other wife's.
One of the most important aspects of Hmong culture is Family. One saying that the Hmong have is that "To be with a family is to be happy. To be without a family is to be lost.". This shows that the Hmong people value family and the more family you have the better.
Traditionally many people lived together in one house. In this house there would be many different generations that are considered one. This would include the grandparents, parents, children and wife's of any of the sons in that family. If the family was not able to stay in one house the Family would try to locate within the same area to still have that close relationship.
Clans
Clans consist of people whom share the same paternal ancestry or married into the clan. This Hmong ancestry can be separated into 18 different clans. Hmong people are close with their clan members and consider them to be brothers and sisters. Since the clans are this close it is not allowed for a male to marry a female from the same clan.
Each clan has a leader that oversees the clan and relationships with other clans outside of their own. The leader known as the Shaman has the role of handling disputes, assist with handing out punishments, and other situations. The Shaman is considered the head of the clan and therefore has other special privileges that the others in the clan do not have. The clan leader has the power to communicate with deceased ancestors of the clan with specific rituals.
Clan Names
Vang Pha
Cheng Thao
Kong Yang
Kue Xiong
Kang Lor
Her Chang (cha)
Chue Fang
Hang Lee
Moua Vue
Marriage
Marriage in the Hmong society varies just like any other culture, but it traditionally occurs between the ages of 14-18 years. One reason why Hmong society encourages young marriage is for the need for additional family members to help around the house or field. These marriages are not made by the people getting married rather their family. This is known as an arranged marriage. Once a family agrees that both their son and daughter will be wed there will be an agreement known as a bride price. The bride price is a compensation, based on the family's income, and for her new husband family for taking her on which guarantees the she will be treated with respect otherwise the marriage is voided. The bride price is usually a few thousand US dollars, but there is a maximum set up by the clans leader.
During the wedding there is a few symbols that help accompany the ceremony. One symbol is the tying of a white ribbon or string from around the wrist of the bride and groom. This symbolizes the joining of two people as one. Also there is a young hen, rooster, and a hard boiled egg involved in this ceremony. This egg is then cracked split in two and eaten by both the bride and groom. These items symbolize fertility and that the two will be blessed with many children. The ceremony will also include the burning of incense which alerts the spirit world that there is a marriage taking place. This allows the spirits to learn of the marriage and be part of the wedding. Lastly, when the wedding is over and dinner time comes it is important to serve Pork. This is a symbols that future prosperity will be upon them. However, in Hmong tradition it is not looked upon to serve food such as vegetables. Vegetables are not offered as they are a representation that you are poor and cannot afford good food.
After the marriage a bride must prove that she can assume the roles of a household wife and provide her husband loyalty. During the first year of marriage the wife should not make eye contact with other men, hold a conversation with other men, or smile at other men. This shows her devotion and loyalty to only her husband.
In the Hmong culture it is normal to have more than one wife. The male is allowed to have as many wife's as he wants as long as he can financially support his family. However, this usually creates tension between the wives by making them feel less wanted, in competition for their husband affection, and jealously towards the other wife's.