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Foremost, some of you folks claim to have done research, cited resources, and even claim to have first/secondhand knowledge yet most if not all have come across as being your typical
"menyuam Hmoob/Moob Mes/mis-kas" he said, she said, it said generalist. More so, the thread shoot off in a tangent.
After reading everyone's comment, here are my inputs - what I do know from personal research, daily traditional practices, and what I have learned (heard) from the Hmong community at large.
Hmong worldwide population: (I do not recall the exact Census Record date, but most are from around year 2000)
SE Asia from census records (around 2000) - 750,000 in Laos, 100-200,000 in Thailand, I forgot Vietnam's count, maybe 85-100,000. About 20-25,000 in Burma. Zero in Cambodia as far as records show and since the dawn of time. (Some ignorant, supposedly educated Hmong intellects, spoke in public that Hmong lived/lives in Cambodia -
.)
China from 2000 census records - what would be considered Hmong or our distant relatives only totals 4.2-4.5 million total, not 7 million. It is even argued, rightfully in some cases, that among this 4 million, some are not even Hmong. The biggest argument is that though ALL minorities in China are labeled "Miao", also referring to Hmong - each ethnic group do not share the same language, religion, customs etc. In fact, J. Lamonde argued that the total Hmong/Miao population in China is only roughly about 1.3-1.5 million or so from a 2006/7 conference I attended. (I personally believe the 4+million is probably more accurate despite the "Miao" argument.)
USA from the 2010 census puts Hmong at 250,000+ though some Hmong believe it may be closer to 300,000 due to non-filers, but 250,000 is most likely.
As for the "kav xwm", I personally did mine two years ago. Though true that 1) two/three+ "kav xwm" cannot exist in the same house, 2) one cannot use another clan's practice/setup, and that it helps to protect the family plus bring about prosperity, just about everything else that most of you have said is completely inaccurate - most likely hearsay or just your opinion and/due lack of cultural knowledge.
It is also true that you cannot inadvertently burn it at will, though I have not witnessed any dire repercussions if done, simply because anyone who has a "kav xwm" and practices Hmong culture knows better not to do such a foolish thing. And yes, the "kav xwm" is tolerant of other religions even complete strangers living under its roof. Never heard nor seen otherwise. What I do hear is non-traditionalist Hmong bashing the "kav xwm" they sometimes live under - like a supposedly Christian daughter-in-law or son-in-law.
Lastly, there is only Hmong folklore about the "kav xwm". I have yet to hear any creditable one regarding its origin. And if you know anything about Hmong folklore, it will vary with each teller etc. Also, the "kav xwm" is only done once a year at the time of the New Year celebration, "tau noj Pebcaug", whether putting a first time one up or replacing an existing one. I suppose I could elaborate on this but why don't you people get your "facts straight" versus "tall tales".
As for all the anomalies most of you claim to have encountered, a few I suppose can be attributed to the "kav xwm" but I can assure if any, they are more POSITIVE than the "negatives" you profess. If negatives then as most of you have correctly identified, consult a shaman.
As for the "txhiaj meej" or whatever else you want to call it, go get your "facts straight" versus "tall tales" or hearsay. Depending on who you ask, one will say it is one and the same as the "kav xwm" while another will claim they are separate. All I know is that one can say, "tus txhiaj meej", or "tus kav xwm", or better yet "tus txhiaj meej xwm kav laud yej". And even better yet, "tus txhiaj meej xwm kav laud yej ncej dab ncej qhua", so go figure? Does this mean there are 4 if not 5 such things? Whatever!
Topic: xwm kab (Read 2339 times)