Like birthdays, traditional ceremonies occur very often. Spirits of nature are believed to possibly cause physical and mental harm to Hmong in the . The traditional Hmong religion is animist -- the belief in a spirit world and that all living things are interconnected. Eat quickly when it is time to eat, so the maykong does not have to wait for you to finish. 6. According to Toby Blackstar, a Native American funeral director, the Kiowa believe in-ground burial is the only acceptable way to release a body after death. This is the best time to stop by and pay your respects as a non-family member. A funeral of this length means that the deceased is a well-respected person and has lived a wonderful life. It is the groom's responsibility to know the process of how to go about becoming married in order to spare his family from both money and embarrassment. Some couples have two ceremonies -- one traditional, and one modern (to make it legal). According to Ya Po Cha, every Hmong home is a shrine, and so, to begin to understand the religious sites where Hmong Shamanism is practiced, it is pivotal to know the components of the conventional Hmong home. Hmong people believe that life goes on after death. If you are from the bride's side, always use the hand further to the head end of the table to pick up your drink. As with much in Hmong religion, Chinese influence is strong, and the Hmong Otherworld is closely modelled on the . We'll help you get your affairs in order and make sure nothing is left out. We believe that when your soul wanders away from your body, is lost, or kidnapped by evil spirits you get sick and modern medicines don't really work. Traditionally, the food will have no spices and fancy dishes are not welcome. (Cha, 2010). The funeral procession follows, carrying a casket or open stretcher containing the body. pdfs.semanticscholar.org/8019/d3f4d138acd7b6d1027b8d2048daf834c220.pdf. Once this portion of the ceremony has concluded, the wedding party will usually sleep at the bride's family's house. Shamans are revered in Hmong culture for communicating with the spiritual world to retrieve the soul of a person who is ailing. These may be blessings or curses. What happens before sending the groom and his crew off? The Hmong House: The Location of Shamanic Ritual, Hmong Religiosity and Shamanism In The Twin Cities, Hmong Religiosity and Shamanism in the Twin Cities, Christianity: Hmong Churches and "American" Churches, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Buddhist Monk Blessing Ceremony (06.30am) At 06:30 the early rising monks arrive to the front room and take place along the back wall. But if you knew the deceased, you should offer your condolences regardless of your knowledge of the Hmong culture. Once the proposal happens, no matter what the format, the grooms family approaches the brides family to let them know that their daughter is with the grooms family. Throughout the first and second days of the funeral, guests arrive in large numbers to honor the deceased and mourn with the family. Usually, a girl who does not want to be married will be able to get away, for it is common that these kinds of marriages have negative repercussions. The Geneva Accords in 1954 divided Vietnam into two separate countries. The Hmong people believe that theDab Pog,a spirit world couple, are responsible for bringing children to their Hmong parents. The ceremony typically lasts three days and includes the burning of incense and money. Watch. Following the traditions derived from Lialue and Trumee who were the two sons of the siblings who survived the great flood which cleansed humanity, Hmong weddings typically take two days and one night to complete.Instead of the focus being on the bride and groom, Hmong weddings are about uniting Read more Hmong people see the death of a loved one as a very important part of life. I came upon the idea of Hmonderns Blessing Strings this summer when I had missed a dear persons Khi Tes ceremony, my cousin Chia Vang whom I had grown up with. The. Are there any other ways to "take a wife"? Midway through the departure song, the drummer stops, and the. The Hmong religion is traditionally. Family members and family friends tie white strings around the wrists of the guest of honor. They must also bring in a basket containing a small cooked pig, rice, a bottle of wine, and other ceremonial items. Everyone lent a helping hand and the party was a success. Hmong weddings start off at the brides family house then transfer over to the grooms family house. Children will help pass out drinks, clean up after guests, and watch over the body. The first two days of a Hmong funeral are traditionally when guests stop by to offer, Gifts, cards, flowers, and other presents, A hand-written and heartfelt card, or flowers with a. attached, is almost always appreciated. The maykong then sit at a table and three rounds of drinks are ordered for formalities, and then the negotiations begin. My Level and Knowledge of the Hmong Language is.. Music is incredibly important to the services, as the Hmong believe it guarantees safe passage to the afterlife. These parts must remain in harmony to remain healthy. Cooked food, like chicken or pig, is considered a gift to the family. This spiritual ceremony that takes place when a terrible event has happened such as an accident or illness. Additionally, Hmong cosmology shares the notion that the human body hosts multiple souls. Accept, Funeral rites are a cornerstone of the Hmong faith and culture. , which means the Hmong people believe all living things are interconnected. She will also be given food for the journey. However, the maykong will often invite the rest of the people to join them in eating. Need inspiration? We cook a lot of food, invite family, a shaman performs the blessing ceremony and everyone ties a white string around her and our wrists to wish is luck in life and give Lillian gifts (money). Required fields are marked *. Not all Hu Plig ceremonies take place because of an unfortunate mishap. We follow a strict editorial process to provide you with the best content possible. A traditional Hmong funeral doesnt include a funeral director. Instead, you should be aware of some general Hmong funeral etiquette rules, which are described below. Family, friends, and relatives pick up a white string and tie it on the honored person's hand while chanting a blessing. The middle pile is given to the people who cooked and who will clean up after the ceremony. On the final day, the family performs a xi. However, as a guest, you dont have to know every detail of a Hmong funeral. Meanwhile men are:socializing with one another,helping with paying expenses for the funeral,chopping and preparing meat oroffering chicken to the deceased. They believe the Creator birthed the body from the earth, so it must return to the earth through decomposition. This link will open in a new window. (Cha, 2010). The drummer and qeej (a type of bamboo instrument) player perform multiple ceremonial songs throughout the day. Whats Right for You? Board of Directors; Department Overview; International Distributors; Management Team; Vision, Mission Statement & Core Values; History. Hmong people emphasize the union of two families, not the happiness of the two people getting married. Most importantly, be sincere in your offerings of comfort and support. The ritual of a hu plig can be performed for those who are sick or recovering from a sickness. On each pendant hangs a Hmong word that holds a special meaning. This is called sunshine money, and it helps the family pay for funeral expenses. info@LiveLikeBella.org; 786 505 3914; restaurants with kids play area mumbai; reduce in number 7 letters; chaharshanbe suri food What happens after a man brings a woman home? Do not rest your arms or chin on the table. Then his family follows, and must ask . They also set a price on the bride at this time. The third soul, however, will have to be called on the third morning after . A large feast at the grooms family home is next, followed by another feast and a long negotiation at the brides home, helped along by the families mej koob (marriage negotiator). 2. 20 ROTC graduates were commissioned as officers in the United States Army. During this part of the funeral tradition, a. player and drummer play ceremonial music throughout the visits. Heres a primer for the insightful planner. Other acceptable gifts for a Hmong funeral include food and donations to help cover funeral costs. Depression, disease, and death can occur as a result of one or more of these souls becoming isolated. The wedding is a more simple negotiation with a wedding ceremony following. 5. player carries on the ceremonial music alone. His Sickness Came Back Kyson came home with a fever from school. The second soul enters when the baby has just emerged from the mother's body and taken its first breath. On the third day, the burial typically takes place. This ritual is done when a person is ill or not being themselves. Two of the boiled chickens and a pack of rice are eaten halfway along the way, and the others are saved for the bride's parents to be offered to the ancestors. Funeral flowers are acceptable as well. The wedding ceremony itself takes place there, often lasting most of the following day and directed by the mej koob, and finally, the newlyweds travel back to the grooms home for a large party. However, this is the most costly way to get married. A fun fact is that anyone can tie strings- not just a Shaman. Hmoob Cultural and Community Agency, Inc (HCCA) 1815 Ward Avenue La Crosse, WI 54601 Phone: (608) 781-5744 Fax: (608) 781-5011 Hours: Monday - Thursday: 9:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. Friday: 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. Monday & Friday : Close Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. Wednesday: 12:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION The bride's family presents the groom's family with gifts consisting of money to buy a bull, casual clothes for the bride, traditional old clothes for the bride, and all of the brides belongings. Traditionally, in most kidnapping cases, the bride is then forced to marry the groom despite her personal wishes. Rituals performed by the head of the household "in honor of the ancestral spirits" are for individual benefits which are usually done during Hmong New Year celebrations. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Wedding chants are performed by the maykong at every stage throughout the rest of the wedding. Hmong Funeral Songs and Music. Traditional Hmong weddings are extensive and elaborate events which normally take two days and one night to complete. However, they are allowed to marry blood relatives, for example the children of a brother and sister can marry because they would be from different clans. Funerals are usually four days long. Observers of the Hmong faith believe in reincarnation, making funeral ceremonies that much more impactful. Nowadays, many couples skip day one and three of the traditional Hmong wedding and only have a big party along with the hand-tying ceremony. Hmong people use the stomachs of the cow that can be used to make the traditional beef soup, literally cow-poo soup which is made of beef stomach, intestines, and organ meat. Then more drinking and feasting occurs at the groom's house. However, this is generally a symbolic kidnapping as the girl is allowed to refuse to go. Hmong Funeral. During traditional ceremonies, the umbrella is wrapped in a long black-and-white striped ribbon (made from folding a special cloth into a thin strip) called a Siv Ceeb. I find it beautiful how much support our culture has on family and the bond that ties everyone together. Like many cultural traditions, Hmong funerals have adjusted to modern customs. Hmong brides began carrying umbrellas to and from their weddings a long time ago, when traditional ceremonies were complicated events that took several days to complete. If the marriage is not arranged, the groom can go to the girl's family and ask for her hand. Do not criticize the maykang, for they do not want to be there in the first place. This, however, is rare. Relatives often keep watch at the funeral home night and day. This link will open in a new window. The next morning the parents woke up so enraged at theDab Pogthat the spirit couple left.1. A Site Dedication Ceremony was held during the opening ceremony for the Dragon Festival at Phalen Park, complete with a parade of lion dancers to the China Garden site where a Feng Shui Site Dedication ritual was performed by International Feng Shui expert Carole Hyder and a Hmong blessing was given by Hmong Elder Uncle Charles Vu. Corn Meal Bowl. Services last continually, 24 hours a day until Monday. Once reaching the bride's former home, the wedding party always enters through the back door. Brainstorm with your funeral director, event planner, or religious leader to help you figure out the logistics or any limitations. . Yes! There may be traditional artwork or floral arrangements. All together, the three male roles will lead the deceased back to his or her home. For example, not all guests who want to pay their respects will know how to give joss paper. Traditionally, Hmong weddings take up to two days. The bridesmaid will sleep next to the bride in order to prevent her from running off and doing improper and unbecoming things such as returning to an ex. The amount is settled by negotiation of the elders of both families prior to the engagement and usually is paid in bars of silver or livestock. Read more, Hmong Shamanism is practiced in the private homes of members of the Hmong community, tucked away in cities like Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The two sons were called Lialue and Trumee. The family of the bride will prepare a second wedding feast at their home, where the couple will be married. The drummer and. Another way to make a person feel better again is to change their first and last name, in order to hide away from bad spirits. Inform the person next to you of the name and each round of drinks before drinking. Yes! The traditional wedding ritual begins with a groom staging a symbolic kidnapping -- keeping the bride hidden at his family house for several days while his relatives notify her parents of his intention to marry. A number of roles are important to the funeral process. 5 Traditional Hmong Ceremonies You Need to Know. 3. of an actual attorney. 58 graduates earned a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average. The Hmong "Proposal" There are three typical ways for a traditional Hmong marriage to begin: 1. After the shaman is done calling for the spirit, the chicken will be killed and served to the guest of honor. If no one from the the deceased husbands clan is willing to raise the children, they will follow their mother into her second marriage. Others choose only the Western ceremony and reception but include some Hmong-inspired details in dcor, food, and other cultural ideas. Because of this, theDab Pogno longer surrounds the house like theXwm Kab. American life is too fast-paced for kinship. Here's are some ways to make the mother's blessing ceremony special for a mom-to-be: 1 Ask the Guests to Bring the Beads Get each guest to bring a bead or pick one from a bowl that you have bought. On the final day, the family performs a xi. The purpose of the whole funeral service remains the same: to help the persons soul reunite with his ancestors and, subsequently, be reborn. Image retrieved from:http://jonwitsell.com/hmong-wedding/. For information about opting out, click here. Then, the couple will return to the house of the brides family at the end of the first wedding feast. While there are some wonderful online resources regarding Hmong weddings and traditionsthe best place to find out more is by talking with the elders of the family. Do not use the word "finish", but use the word "clear" instead. Hu Plig (who plee), a soul calling ceremony performed by shamans, when the soul has been frightened away. Of course death is not a joyous occasion, but marks the transition for the human soul.1A typical Hmong funeral lasts for three days and nights. After these negotiationsare finished and each side is satisfied, the rest of the proceedings are only symbolic gestures. Both of these things occur, but there is much more to it. I saw one of your pictures, you had a bowl with money, is this something guest usually give? Hu Plig (calling the soul). Explore. Our culture believes in spirits and that every person, whether unborn, born, alive or not, forever has one. A Hmong funeral lasts from three to 12 days depending on several factors, such as finding a suitable burial day. Hmong tradition teaches that when persons pass away, they will go back and visit each place that they have been to, with the last destination being their birthplace. Dinner is then usually served after all members of the bride's family have arrived. The family then removes the body from the home and begins the journey to the gravesite. Ive never had a sibling who has been married, so I have never spent more than one day at a Hmong wedding. We managed to squeeze in the state fair early in the morning then headed off to purchase everything else. oer blessings to the baby and the couple, proceeding from oldest to youngest. "In partnership with the Indigenous Knowledge and . This link will open in a new window. If just the wife wants to divorce her husband without any firm grounds, the marriage dowry must be returned to the husbands family, as the wife will be the one choosing to leave the household. The Ntoo Xeeb ceremony is a principal New Year's ritual in which all responsible male heads of households . When entering into a funeral home, you may see lots of heart-shaped and circular-shaped memorials made from the paper money, money that is of no use to humans but is valuable in the afterlife. Protestantism allowed no compromise or room . They can postpone this ritual for up to one year. Its elegant, curved sides capture the blessings of friends and families, filling it with love and goodwill. In Western culture, Hmong funerals must make some adaptations. 4. If just the husband wants to divorce his wife without any firm grounds, the husband will have to come up with some money to send the wife back to her family with all the children, as the husband will be the one choosing to leave the household. But many modern couples still choose to include a black umbrella in their ceremony, as a meaningful way to honor their cultural heritage. Hmong tradition considers most illnesses to be the result of the soul becoming separated from the body because of an accident, a traumatic event, or theft by an angry spirit. The washing of feet: This ceremony is based on Biblical scripture John 13:2-5, in which Jesus demonstrates his devotion to his disciples and the humility necessary to serve by washing their feet . Inform the maykong of the drinks each time you drink. What are some things guests should do at a Hmong wedding? The resident maykong will place five equal piles of money in each corner and in the middle of the table. More rounds of drinking occur as the groom's maykong reports all of the events of the wedding and the settlements made to the family. During this ceremony, strings are tied around their wrists to restore their souls to their bodies. The family has to agree to the marriage and and previous feuds have to be settled in order for a couple to marry. The Hmong are pantheists, believing in a variety of natural and super natural spiritual forces living in and animating all things. As with many weddings in Asian cultures, traditional Hmong weddings are handled by the family and are intricately pre-planned or determined by ancestry, last name lineage, the value of the female/bride, and gifts to the brides family. This is more substantial than the bride and groom only exchanging vows, for it shows the level of the union between the two entire families. They were days away from the front line when the French surrendered to the Communist Viet Minh; this effectively ended French rule in Southeast Asia. The Hmong belief is that this process can be very confusing because there are so many different paths to follow. The Hmong Funeral When a Hmong dies, his or her soul must travel back to every place the. A traditional decoration that youll see most often at a Hmong funeral is the three-dimensional golden heart. Finally, there is thetxiv xaiv, a man whochants in order to lead the deceased back home on the correct path. Create a free online memorial to gather donations from loved ones. Everything you need to know to officiate. When my grandpa died six years ago, my extended family and I spent one month comforting my grandma and aunt by coming over to their home for everyday for one month. At this time, rice and chunks of boiled meats are servedand everyone will introduce themselves to the groom, best man and the bridesmaid. In response, the brides family chooses an acceptable price for the bride, which the grooms family agrees to pay in exchange for permission to wed. There is no reception, only meals and feasts that are often selected by the clan and negotiators. Historically, the Hmong New Year celebration was created to give thanks to ancestors and spirits as well as to welcome in a new beginning. These good days are known to elders, senior monks, or ex-monks. The funeral procession follows, carrying a casket or open stretcher containing the body. They are are on their spiritual journey when they perform this task. Did you know? The wedding starts with some basic preparations and rituals at the groom's home. This is much less complicated and less expensive. message that can be personalize then wrapped up and slid into the glass bottle, ready to be gifted. First drink the glass closer to the tail end of the table. Afterward, the pregnant woman and her family prepare for a feast. The traditional ceremony, performed by Hmong elder Gnia Vue Lor (Nea Voo Lor) calls attention the past year and calls forth a new year filled with new blessings. Read more. I know she doesn't care if I give her money or not, but I feel that if I'm going to attend I should at least know what to expect. This is also the time where wedding guests may leave. You might be invited to play card games, and its a good idea to offer help with tasks like cleaning up the dishes. It can be traced back to ancient pagan rites and the beginning of Christianity, as we know it. Basically what a blessing ceremony is is a Hmong version of a baptism. The reason for this is twofold: The first two days of a Hmong funeral are traditionally when guests stop by to offer condolences. What does the wedding ceremony consist of? Ua Neeb (shamanism). Do not use a cell phone and be attentive. Only then can the soul be reincarnated. Their faith is focused on the reincarnation of a persons soul in the next life. XO. Unlike typical Western funeral attire, during a Hmong funeral ceremony, attendeesespecially relatives and descendants of the deceasedshould dress down. Hmong observers believe that the soul will observe its descendants during the funeral rites. It takes place in the home of the deceased, where family members will wait until it is time to perform the xi. We also may earn commission from purchases made through affiliate links. Loss is hard. Cake offers its users do-it-yourself online forms to complete their own wills and This begins the negotiation process for a bride price. Cha, Y.P. It ends with the groom and best man consuming drinks from every member of the bride's family. If youre attending the Hmong funeral of a friend, feel free to offer any gift that feels suitable to you. There is no shaman needed for a Khi Tes ceremony since the gathering is more of a celebratory event than spiritual one. Before any guest at the table may drink, including the maykong, they must call out each member of the groom's party and thank them in a specific way.Each round of drinking has its specific rules and events. The Iu Mien or Iu Mian people number about 5 million. A hand-written and heartfelt card, or flowers with a sincere sympathy message attached, is almost always appreciated. The celebration is to acknowledge the completion of the rice-harvesting seasonthus, the beginning of a new yearso that a new life can begin as the cycle of life continues. The rites will take place in a community center, funeral home, or family home. At this time, it is customary to give a monetary gift to the couple. 2. Khi Tes emphasizes on gathering love ones to honor and celebrate milestones such as a graduation or any other joyous events. The couple then enters the house. (Cha, 2010) (See section The Engagement). First, a wedding crew is assembled. This is traditionally only a symbolic kidnapping: the girl is allowed to refuse to go. Throughout the first and second days of the funeral, guests arrive in large numbers to honor the deceased and mourn with the family. The qeej player then leads the way to the cemetery, followed by a woman carrying a torch. The usual Hmong funeral is held for three days and nights. Hmong Traditional Funeral Hmong Catholics do this blessing in the name of God. After these three days, the family removes the body from the home, while the, player plays a ceremonial Song of Mounting the Way., As the procession makes its way to the gravesite, the musicians play the Departure Song or, . If a husband and wife decide to divorce, the couples clans will permit a divorce but will evaluate the situation fairly. They invite the soul to visit their home in preparation for its journey. The children can choose to belong to their stepfathers clan (by accepting his surname, his family spirits, and relatives)or they can choose to remain with their original clan (the family, spirits, and relatives of their deceased father.). The multi-day rituals required the bride to travel back and forth between the grooms home and her own, and she was given an umbrella to protect her from the elements and evil spirits as she traveled. At the end of the three-day long funeral, the deceased person is buried and all of the decorations made of paper money are burned so that the deceased person will go to a new place with the resources necessary for a comfortable life. It also symbolizes protection from natural elements and evil spirits as the bride travels to and from the ceremony. After the burial, the 13-day mourning period begins. A Hu Plig ceremony was completed to welcome her to the spiritual clan of her husbands family. This unique tradition originates within the Yoruba culture of southwestern Nigeria, Benin, and Togo (Yorubaland), in West Africa, and shows an appreciation for family, honesty, spiritual and emotional connection, commitment, nature, and the natural world. First, the bride and groom, who would each have two attendants to assist in the ceremony, would walk to opposite ends of the wedding table and the attendants would spread out a rug for the bride. The ceremony begins with chanting of Sanskrit prayers from Buddhist prayer books. 16434 Highway 61 Boulevard, Welch, MN, 55089 However, some Hmong couples opt for modern weddings that incorporate aspects of their culture and heritage. I believe Lao calls it "Baci", (not sure on the spelling of that.) When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. A blessing over the couple is said. In these cases, the planner would interview the couple and provide the same services that they would for any other wedding couplebudget review, timeline, vendor search, and so on. You are most likely to attend these spiritual and untypical gatherings depending on how traditional your family is. subject to our Terms of Use. It is usually late at night by this time, and the final occurrenceis boiling four whole chickens. Each person is thought to have 12 parts of the soul. This wedding crew consists of the maykong (negotiators), the bride, the groom, a bridesmaid, and a best man. That's why at Hu Plig's (Soul Calling Ceremonies) and weddings (where they had a Hu Plig), all guests are encouraged to tie white strings as a blessing and for luck. The family then removes the body from the home and begins the journey to the gravesite. Prayers are concerned with all the most intense human experiences including entreaties for material benefits, supplications for blessings, requests for opportunities, honoring spirit, unburdening grief, releasing guilt, unloading affliction, worshipping, affirming desires, offering gratitude, wishing for escape from pain and suffering, and Pinterest. Check out our free ceremony scripts! The shaman goes on a journey to the spiritual world to find out what is wrong with the person who is sick. Address the people who hold positions as their roles, not their names. After this ritual, the groom and the best man return to the table and finish the last round of drinks. Hmong tradition teaches that when persons pass away, they will go back and visit each place that they have been to, with the last destination being their birthplace.