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Additional Resources:
“Hmong
Instructions to the Dead (Part two)” by Catherine Falk, Asian
Ethnology (formerly known as Asian Folklore Studies), Volume 63, 2004
167-220.
“Hmong Cosmology: Proposed Model, Preliminary Insights” by
Vincent K. Her, Hmong Studies Journal, Volume 6, 25 pages
“Por Thao’s Funeral” by Joseph Davy, Hmong Studies Journal,
Volume 2 Number 1.
“The Hmong Qeej: Speaking to the Spirit World” by Gayle
Morrison, Hmong Studies Journal Voume 2
LISTEN: WPR Radio streaming broadcast (requires RealPlayer )
READ: WPR Radio
Segment Transcript
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FUNERALS AND REPATRIATION
 Within the traditional Hmong belief system, the death of a loved one is
a sacred event involving the family and the broader Hmong community.
Funerals last three days, with family members of the deceased assigned
certain tasks during the event while the broader Hmong community often
stays past midnight to show their support and love. To continue a
blissful existence in the afterlife, the bodies of the dead must be
properly cared for and buried while souls are sent into the spirit world
using a special musical instrument called the “qeej.” Controversy
erupted in late 2005 when the graves of Hmong refugees at Wat Tham
Krabok temple in Thailand were dug up and removed by the Thai
government. Outraged Hmong in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and elsewhere
demanded answers and began lobbying state and local officials to find
answers.
Kev
PamTuag thiab Xa Ntsuj Xa Plig
Kev ploj kev tuag thiab kev pam ib tug neeg yog ib qho kev tshwmsim
tseem ceeb yuav teev yuav hawm uas muaj feem rau nws tsev neeg thiab
tsoom Hmoob hauv nws zej zog huv si. Kom tau lub neej zoo ua nyob rau
yav ntuj ceebtsheej, tus neeg tuag lub cev yuav tsum tau muab tu kom zoo
tsim nyog mam li muab mus faus thaum muab nws tus ntsuj duab ntsuj plig
xa mus cuag poj cuag yawm uas yog yuav tau tshuab “ rab qeej” xa mus.
Hmoob tau tsis txaus siab rau tsoom fwv Thaib thaum xyoo 2005 vim lawv
tau muab Hmoob cov qhov ntxa khawb tawm nyob rau tim Vav Thabkasnpuaj
nyob rau Thaibteb. Hmoob nyob rau xeev Wisconsin, xeev Minnesota thiab
txhua qhov chaw thiaj tau chim siab uas yuav tsum kom tsoom fwv Thaib
teb seb yog vim li cas thiab lawv tau hais kom cov nomtswv hauv lawv
xeev thiab lawv zos kom pab.
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