Generation Gap - Sports
Hmong living in Laos and
Thailand have had limited opportunities to play organized sports.
However, Hmong festivities, particularly during the Hmong New Year
celebration, typically included playing the popular sports of tako [link
to term below] and soccer. Hmong emigration brought tako and soccer to
the United States, both of which were practiced by informal young adult
teams and played during Hmong festivities. As the 2nd and 3rd generation
began to grow and adapt to American culture, interest in sports began to
change. Tako lost popularity among the youth, and is rarely played
anymore at Hmong festivals. In its place, volleyball has risen to become
the second most popular organized sport behind soccer. However, with
Hmong integration in public schools, a variety of other American sports
are being played, with some versions surfacing at Hmong festivals,
including tennis, basketball, and flag football.
Tako
Tako, a sport popular among first generation Hmong immigrants, is a
combination of soccer and volleyball in which players are required to
juggle a bamboo ball without using their hands. To score points, players
must kick or head the ball over a net and have it hit the ground in the
opponent’s side. Although tako usually is played in teams, it can also
be played individually. To watch excerpts of a tako match, see
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfSN7G-tOzQ [In this video, a
game of tako is played by three-player teams at the 2005 Minnesota
sports festival. Note that the players are mature adults; once popular
among Hmong youth, it is rare to see youth playing tako at such
festivals.]
Soccer
Played by Hmong youth in Thailand and Laos, soccer remains the most
popular at Hmong festivals, and games are enjoyed by all generations of
Hmong Americans.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3BKtaAb4uw
[Video of the soccer championship game at the 28th Hmong Minnesota
International Annual Sports Tournament, July 5-6, Minnesota]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3BKtaAb4uw&feature=related
[Slideshow of soccer championship at the July 2008 Minnesota Sports
Tournament; note how large the crowd is.]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeKuRL1cedQ&feature=related
[Homemade video of tense soccer shootout during the July 2008 Minnesota
Sports Tournament]
Volleyball
Volleyball did not become popular in Hmong culture until arriving in the
United States. It was during the 1990s that second generation Hmong
immigrants picked up the sport. The sport is now played regularly in
informal settings, formal Hmong leagues, and, of course, at Hmong
festivals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBMbtT6E5kg
[Homemade video of a volleyball match during the July 2008 Minnesota
Sports Tournament]
Tennis
Tennis is an emerging popular sport among younger generation Hmong
Americans. It began to have an impact on Hmong sports culture in 2005
and is starting to be organized as a competitive event at some Hmong
festivals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4sah98N8SU
[In this homemade video, two young Hmong tennis players enjoy an
afternoon for tennis]
Flag Football
Flag Football is the fastest growing sport among second and third
generation Hmong Americans. Some Hmong leagues have formed and
competitive matches are being played at the Hmong festivals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EInP30Iyc4
[In this video, flag football Hmong style is cleverly set to popular NFL
highlight reel music; also from homemade video captured during the July
2008 Minnesota Sports Tournament]
Basketball
Basketball has been included in some Hmong festivals. It has been very
popular among second and third generation Hmong.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CniCnPy_yrY
[Video captured from a 2006 sports tournament in Minnesota]
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