POLL

Question 1: "do you know who the hmong are?"

  yes

  no

  kind of...

c

Question 1: "do you know who the hmong are?"

17 (61%) • yes

8 (29%) • no

3 (11%) • kind of...

here's part one: ( a little about the HMONG.)

Who are Hmong?

By Taichiming - CSUF

Recently, Westerners who were interested in studying Hmong were influenced that "Hmong" means "free men". Hmong had a very long history fighting for freedom. Though, Hmong themselves don't know what "Hmong" means. Still, many people don't really know who are the Hmong. Based on legends and stories, it was believed by the Hmong scholars and the elders that their ancestors originated in Northern Asia. However, no one really knows exactly where. Mongolia, Northeastern Russia, and Northern China are the common places mentioned by Hmong. Not until the 18th century, when Catholic missionaries were introduced to the Hmong in China and then in Southeast Asia. Based on their studies, they believed that Hmong is one of the lost tribe from Siberia or maybe originated in Iran as current geography. Many people have many ideas about where Hmong came from, yet no one really knows where.

Hmong must have originated from somewhere, but we ought to know that they lived in China for the longest. Its population in China today is in the 6 millions. The number could have been much larger as twice or triple only if there would have not been killings and assassinations. Hmong is a group among the 56 ethnic groups who are Chinese (a name giving to the people of China by Westerners). The pronunciation of "Hmong" is use by Westerners because they couldn't pronounce "Hmoob" as it should be pronounced by the Hmong. As with any other ethnic, Hmong faced political situations with other groups especially the Chinese Emperors. Miao is what the Chinese (past and current ruler of China) call the Hmong. The word "Miao" came about because of racism. Even though they were labeled "Miao", they call themselves Hmong. According to scholars and Hmong tales, and especially the current Chinese documents, the Hmong were governed by their own Kings centuries after centuries. The Hmong in China believes Chinese government had stolen their written language long time ago. Characters carved on stones and walls in ancient Hmong villages in China had proved that Hmong did have their own written language. It is quite hard for the current Chinese to admit of embraced the Hmong writing characters. Surprisingly, very few westerners and especially the Hmong themselves are aware of this.