Hmong/Mien• Aka Miao, Meo/Yao

– relations with Han Chinese– persecution, pressures to assimilate

• Migration into Southeast Asia– S. China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand– association with mountains– Strategy of survival: adaptive

mobility• Mode of production - mixed

– foraging, swidden agriculture– trade in forest products, opium

• Issues of self-sufficiency, autonomy, mobility

• Social organization: family, clan• Religion: spirits, ancestors, shamans

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV-VvtILsNE

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9DU-xmGKdo

Map of LAos

Hmongs from Laos

Hmong Tapestry: DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE

• Traditional embroidered human figures, animals and scenery depicting the Hmong experience such as New Year festivals, the escape from Laos, life in the refugee camps and life in the United States.

VIETNAM Warl960-75

Fought South Vietnam revolt & North Vietnam;

• 1-2 million killed in longest U.S. war

• atomic bomb threats in l968 and l969.

• Laos: 1971-73

U.S. directs South Vietnamese invasion;

• "carpet-bombs" countryside, aids Hmong.