Hmong Cultural Journey

Spend the evening celebrating the vibrancy of Hmong culture. Hmong, which means “free people,” is an ethnic minority whose ancestors originated from Mainland China more than 2,000 years ago. The Hmong migrated across the forested highlands of Southeast Asia, now known as Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos.

Learn about the traditional Hmong arts, including Hmong Song Poetry known as kwv txhiaj (pronounced “kuh tziah”), classic and modern dance performances, and a Hmong New Year courting and wedding ritual with the ancient bamboo reed instrument called qeej (pronounced “gheng”). Also discover the secret language and symbolism of Hmong embroidery woven in tribal garments and prized story cloths known as paj ntaub (pronounced “pa ndau”).

Caroline Vang Polly from the Michigan Hmong Women’s Association will share the heroic story of the “Secret War,” which resulted in the Hmong relocating globally. There will also be a tribute to the brave Hmong veterans who fought alongside the American CIA during the Secret War of Laos.

Samples of Hmong delicacies by James Beard Award-nominated Chef Genevieve Vang will also be shared.

This event is supported by:

• Michigan Hmong Women’s Association
• Special Guerrilla Unit Veterans and Families of Michigan Inc. (SGUVFM)
• Ngianhormua Yang, Adjunct Instructor at the College for Creative Studies and at Lawrence Technological University
• Thai Feast
• Amanda Hang Collection
• Lee Pao Xiong, Director of the Center for Hmong Studies at Concordia University, St. Paul and professor of American Government/Political Science and Hmong Studies.

More about this event:

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage American Month programs are developed in partnership with the DIA’s auxiliary group Friends of Asian & Arts Cultures and funded in part by the Freeman Foundation.

Registration for programs in Rivera Court is highly encouraged – capacity will be limited.

Please arrive early – 5 minutes prior to performance start any open seats will be forfeit and given to visitors who are on-site, regardless of registration.