Hmong Traditions: Understanding a Way of Life

From the late 1950s through the early 1970s, the Vietnam War affected nearly the entire Hmong population in Laos. Many people had to depart their homes on a moment’s notice leaving everything behind. They hid in the jungles and stayed alive by eating plants, berries, and roots. My parents survived this traumatic experience, eventually making their way into the refugee camps in Thailand, and finally bringing our family to the U.S.A. During my research I interviewed people about the Hmong culture and our traditions. With the information collected, I wrote an autobiography and illustrated pictures to document this significant chronicle. I have a responsibility to search for rich experiences within the Hmong community and share them with students and community members to honor our history