To give a brief history on the Hmong people, let’s go back as far as possible. The early Hmong history is difficult to trace back and the origins of the Hmong are unclear and are subject of speculation and debate. Their history has been passed down through oral traditions for many generations due to the persistent dispersal and persecution. It can be hard to find any Hmong history in text books, written documents or records of them; except where other people have encountered them. Due to the limited written documents, migration and forced assimilation, the Hmong history is apparently lost and remains quite unclear. It is unknown or hidden and is still a mystery today. And because of the many stories that have been told, you can clearly see that the Hmongs do not know their true history and is confused as to how far back it goes. The Hmong history is very complex. There is not a lot of information about the Hmong people, even with the researches done in China.
The Hmongs have lost so much of their history and many Hmongs have no clue or much about their history. Many are uncertain that what they know is 100% correct because they feel that the Chinese fabricated some of the history to hide who the Hmongs really are. Yes, the Hmongs have had written or documented their history but the Chinese destroyed everything, that is why it is so hard to find out the Hmong history and even to define what and who Hmong is, who they are. Many believe that according to Chinese records, the Hmongs would have had their “own” land or even possibly their “own” country today if it weren’t for the Chinese conquering the Hmongs. Hmong history is unique, difficult and maybe impossible to put together.
Although there may not be enough evidence to trace the Hmong history back, if many of the Hmongs today continue to assimilate or take on the custom of the lands that they are living in and don’t care about their history then eventually the Hmongs will be erased from history completely. Majority of the Hmong history is passed down through oral traditions, through folklore, stories and songs. In one oral history the Hmongs talk about a flood that happened long ago and mentions the start of the Hmong people. And in another oral history the Hmongs talk about a life in a land where it was cold with ice and snow and dark for half the year. Some Hmongs believe that, that place could be in Siberia or maybe even Mongolia. It is passed down throughout generations that the Hmong people are seekers and travelers and that it is why it is hard for them to keep records of their movements (history). In another words they are nomadic people.
They prefer a lifestyle that is simple, peaceful, farming (gathering) and hunting for survival. They would live on unoccupied territory because their view of empty land is free land. There was a brief time where the Hmongs were at peace but that wasn’t for long. The Hmong people are an ethnic minority group who has been persecuted since one can remember, ancient times. During each migrations or wherever the Hmongs have settled, from the Northeast to the Southeast of China, they would fall victim to assimilation, discrimination, oppression, war and unjust killings. The Hmongs were determine about their freedom that they didn’t tolerate being ruled by anyone and would fight assimilation and oppression from other groups. The Hmongs have been through many difficulties throughout history. They have fought against the Chinese, the French, the Russians, the Vietnamese, the Laotians, the Thai and the Japanese and through it all they have survived and can tell you about it.
Click the links below to read more on the Hmong history. Hmong history in China. Hmong history in Laos. Hmong history in America.
