Most of your post is correct. However, you presented some false information as well. Also, keep in mind that every Hmong family practices funeral traditions in different ways so you should not assume that the information you presented is true for all Hmongs. In my Xiong clan, the OLDEST nyab brings the CANDLE (which represents the deceased's spirit and is used again during the "xw" and "tso plig") home from the funeral home and is forbidden to attend the burial. The other nyabs are free to attend the burial.
The following statement that you wrote above is FALSE: "The MAIN/SOLE REASON she cannot attend the burial and is going back before everyone is to prepare TWO things for everyone upon their return. ONE, she must get and setup a bucket or pale of water outside so that everyone returning home can wash (cleanse) their hands. TWO, she must also start a fire outside of the house so that everyone returning home can dry their washed hands and must step over the fire before entering the home." While that MAY be the nyab's responsibility, that is NOT her SOLE responsibility . Her main responsibility, in our clan anyway, is to coj plig mus tsev. In fact, I have seen men prepare the water and fire before for the ones returning from the burial.
I also want to add to Summerberry's comment regarding the nyab's responsibility for watching over the body of the deceased and the casket. It IS a responsibility of the nyab - though it may not be her only responsibility - to watch over to ensure that other people with bad intentions do not sneak in metal or any other foreign objects into the casket. Hmongs believe that the body should only be buried with natural materials that will decompose into the earth. Metals or other foreign objects will cause an imbalance in the spirit world and cause harm to the descendants. That is why Hmongs will pull out tooth fillings, metal crowns from the body and remove metal buttons and zippers from the clothing of the body.
Talk about FALSE, or FAULTY information ... kekeke ...
. Thanks for the LAFFS. (The information I have presented is historic/traditional/nowadays Hmong/Mong NORMs, and funeral rites -- over 90% -- practiced globally; that is USA and SEAsia.)
The stuff in
RED, of your post/comment, arguably your whole posts/comments, just shows how little you know (have sound knowledge) about Hmong/Mong funeral rites. It definitely IS NOT, "
Hmong family practices funeral traditions in different ways ", but more so, "
Hmong CLANS -- not families -- may (do) practice funeral rites in different ways." -- if you/anyone wants to make that argument. Truthfully, they are just MINOR nuisances, which is likely due to the family (or clan's) ignorance, lack of knowledge, and/or just changes (adding/deleting) of certain things that are/were originally CONSISTENT in their family, clan, and/or all Hmong/Mong in general, and overall. (I SEE these discrepancies everyday, even today -- in practice, among families/clans of the SAME famiy/clan.) The historically and well-known differencies/nuiances are mainly between Hmong (White) and Mong (Green) funeral rites. But even then, they are just minor differences/nuiances which I do not care to go over.
Your comment, "
It IS a responsibility of the nyab (to watch over/safeguard the casket) ...", you are
WRONG. You just do not know how WRONG you are *giggles*. Go ask any Kav Xwm, Thawj Xyom Cuab, and Txiv Coj Xai -- not your average Joe -- for FACT versus fiction (hersay, sideline observation) okay? (
Hint: I have personally TRAINED in one of these role/job for over 3+years, so you'd think I might know what I am talking about ... *smiles*)
And what I had stated, WAS NOT to compare/contrast your Xiong family to other Xiong family, or Xiong clan to other Xiong clan, or even one Hmong/Mong family/clan to another Hmong/Mong family/clan. Whether you know it or NOT, a single clan (Xiong or whatever) may/do have SEVERAL ways of doing things -- NOT just funeral rites. (Again, the reasons will vary in every which way: from ignorance, to lack of knowledge etc..) That was never the topic, or points (insights, information) of my posts/comments. That said, what I had posted/commented ON and ABOUT is overwhelming the majority of Hmong/Mong practices, and funeral rites, arguably over 90% if not more. Cases like yours, your Xiong family, are exceptions to the rule, and arguably IS/ARE NOT the NORMs -- being consistent with traditional funeral rites/practices.
The stuff in
GREEN, of your posts, as you, yourself, have claimed; only applies to your Xiong family -- likely NOT even your whole Xiong clan. So basically, only your Xiong family practices these (newly added/changed) variant(s). It definitely IS NOT the NORM of/within Hmong/Mong funeral rites. Truthfully, I have NEVER heard of, nor see, a "
nyab coj plig mus tsev". It makes no sense. How can the "plig/spirit" be taken home, when it hasn't even been buried yet. Traditional Hmong/Mong funeral rites, to my knowledge, and from all of my firsthand experiences, IS NOT done that way period -- meaning NO ONE (tub, anyone, especially a "nyab") is tasked to take (even just verbally ASK) the "plig/spirit" to go home, especially BEFORE the burial, from the funeral home. (What your Xiong family did, or is practicing, is likely a Western adoption -- newly added practice.)
The NORM is that once and only after the burial, a "MALE" will be tasked on 3, or more days, separately, either from the burial towards the house, or vice versa, to call the "plig/spirit" to come home. (I am not going to explain/elaborate on this.) Additionally, only on the day -- not anytime before, at the ceremony of "
XW/TSO PLIG", it is IN FACT one of the SONS (or MALE) who calls and brings the "plig/spirit" to come back for that ritual.
Definitely NOT a "nyab", (or female). Unless NO male is present *giggles*. And I have NEVER seen a "candle" (representing the "plig/spirit") used for that purpose either. (Maybe that, the candle, is unique to/in your Xiong family, but NOT in any/all Hmong/Mong (some Xiongs included) "
XW/TSO PLIG" I have witnessed/participated in. The norm, according to tradition/custom, is either a small rock (pebbles), or a hand full of dirt, representing the burial/grave, or "plig/spirit" of the deceased, is preferred/used -- NOT a candle. I see this ALL the time, in every "XW/TSO PLIG" nowadays, I have witnessed/participated in.)
Maybe I am ignorant of ALL family/clan-centric funeral practices/rites, but what I have post/commented of, on, and about is historic/well-known Hmong/Mong funeral rites/practices that has been practiced/observed for decades, hundreds, if not centuries.
SinX,
What is exactly your Xiong family, or specific clan? Be very specific (hopefully you know), and I will pay closer attention (ask in detail) about this Xiong family (clan) the next time I have an opportunity to attend/observe one of their funeral ceremony. (If you do not know precisely what Xiong family, or clan, you belong to, then PM one, or most of your leaders, especially one/those who perform/orchestrate your Xiong family's funeral rites.)