Exploring the Parallels Between Hmong and Native American Cultures
Unveiling fascinating parallels between Hmong and Native American cultures, including shared struggles, spiritual beliefs, and cultural identities.

Introduction - The Hmong and Native American communities, separated by continents, share intriguing cultural and spiritual parallels. Both have endured historical struggles, derogatory labels, and marginalization. Their belief systems, rooted in animism and guided by shamans or spiritual healers, highlight profound similarities. Let’s explore how these two cultures resonate with one another and what it reveals about their identities.
Shared Histories of Struggle - Both the Hmong and Native Americans are resilient peoples whose histories are marked by displacement and survival. Native Americans faced colonization, land dispossession, and systematic oppression in North America. Similarly, the Hmong people have fought battles for their homeland and sovereignty across Asia, particularly in Laos and Vietnam. The term "Meo," often used derogatorily toward the Hmong, parallels terms like "savage" used to demean Native Americans, reflecting a shared experience of cultural prejudice.
Animism and Shamanistic Beliefs - Both cultures embrace animism, believing that spirits inhabit nature — trees, rivers, mountains, and animals. Shamans or spiritual leaders play a vital role, connecting their communities with the spirit world for healing and guidance. This shared spiritual framework reflects a deep respect for nature and a holistic worldview that transcends geographic boundaries.
Cultural Identity and Resilience - Despite challenges, both communities have maintained strong cultural identities. For Native Americans, tribal traditions, languages, and ceremonies preserve their heritage. The Hmong keep their traditions alive through unique clothing, folklore, and spiritual practices, even in the face of assimilation pressures.
What Can We Learn? - These similarities between the Hmong and Native Americans inspire reflection on resilience and cultural preservation. They remind us that cultures, no matter how geographically distant, can share deep-rooted values and histories that bind humanity together.
Conclusion - The parallels between Hmong and Native American cultures are a testament to the universality of the human spirit. Both groups stand as warriors of their heritage, showcasing the power of tradition, spirituality, and resilience. What do you think about these shared elements? Join the conversation and share your thoughts!
References and Further Reading
- What Is Hmong? | Yes2Polygamy | Www.Asiafinest.Com | Yo I think the Hmong are the Native American version of Asia. The English used to call Native Americans, savages, which is a derogative term, and all the other Asians call the Hmong, meo, which bestows a meaning of savagery and is a derogative term toward the Hmong. Plus, meo means cat in Viet. The beliefs are quite the same. Both the Hmong and the Native American religions are based off animism and involves a shaman or witch doctor. And according to history the Hmong have faced many battles quite like the Native Americans. They are warriors of a land that was taken from them. Just thought I should mention these similarities. What do you guys think? | 2nd2none | Ha-ha I always used the similarities of Native Americans and Hmongs, when someone asks me what I am.







The truth is we don’t know what is Hmong or who is Hmong or what does Hmong mean. The only thing we know for a fact is
1) Hmong spread through out the world after the Vietnam War because Hmong helped the scheming American CIA to disrupt the Ho Chi Mihn supply line.
2) We know from our parents that some of our great great grandparents (around 150-250) migrated from some where in China to the mountain areas of Southeast Asia. My guess is that it has to be no more than 200-300 miles from were they uprooted.
3) There are still people in China that Hmong can relate to, but they call themselves Miao (probably because the ruling class called them that). A note about this: Hmong or previous Hmong generations never really asked the question what race are you? They asked you who your family/clan was. A more proper question to those who call themselves Miao would be who are your parents, grandparents. This is important because this will help identify lineage.
4) I’ve never seen hard evidence to indicate Hmong are descendants of Chiyou, Mongolians, Siberians, etc. But of course we must have some commonalities with Asians and all Asians must have some commonalities with Europeans and all Europeans must have some DNA of Africans. The question is when we parted ways.
5) No one knows where the word Hmong came from. No one really knows what it means. I get different answers when I ask. Of course I get called stupid when I ask because I’m Hmong and I don’t know what the word means. Do you know what American means?
Man, when I click on that Asiafinest discussion…Hmong is ghetto!! LOL so many slangs and talking about orgies and stuffs…??
@Nus Vaj. That is why this website is here to give you a better perspective of the Hmong origin.