Breathing new life into tradition Traditional Hmong clothing is distinctive for its highly embellished needlework known as paj ntaub or flower cloth. Traditional clothing is detailed and painstakingly made, with complicated pleated skirts for women that require a keen ability for fabric manipulation.
Why do Hmong people wear Hmong clothes?
In the past, when a girl got married, she was always responsible for sewing clothes for everyday wear as well as new clothes prior to the Hmong New Year celebration for her family. On New Years Day, a Hmong family wears their new clothes to celebrate the festivities. This is for good luck, health, and prosperity.
What do Hmong men wear?
Hmong clothes are made by the women of the family. Girls learn “paj ntaus”, or needle work. Clothing for men is long black fisherman pants with a colorful band. Men wear wrap-around shirts that are embroidered at the neckline and sleeves.
What is a style of traditional Hmong embroidery?
Paj Ntaub or flower cloth is a traditional form of Hmong embroidery practiced exclusively by women. Aesthetically, traditional Paj Ntaub is composed of highly stylized, non-representational geometric motifs that are developed both collectively and individually and vary according to region and tribe.
What are Hmong hats called?
turban HA35: This turban-style headdress uniquely belongs to the Hmong from Xieng Khouang, Laos. Traditionally, this headdress was not hand sewn together as a hat, easily put on and removed. It was a long piece of purple fabric, carefully wrapped around ones head by another woman to make a turban.
What is the Hmong religion?
The Hmong religion is traditionally animist (animism is the belief in the spirit world and in the interconnectedness of all living things). At the center of Hmong culture is the Txiv Neeb, the shaman (literally, father/master of spirits). According to Hmong cosmology, the human body is the host for a number of souls.
How many types of Hmong are there?
The Hmong language has two dialects: white and green. They are similar to the British and American forms of English. If youre White Hmong, you speak the White Hmong dialect and vice versa. The names — white and green — refer to the colors and patterns of each groups traditional clothing.
What are the different types of Hmong?
There are three main dialects of Hmong:Hmong Daw (also called White Miao orHmong Der),Mong Njua (also called Blue or Green Miao orMong Leng),Dananshan (Standard Chinese Miao). Hmong Daw and Mong Njua are the two major dialects spoken by Hmong Americans.