The Hmong are a minority group indigenous to land that is now southwestern China. Due to their desire to exist independently to practice their language, culture and traditions, they have long resisted forced assimilation and have a long history of fleeing from war. The Hmong became hill tribe people living throughout northern Southeast Asia (Laos, Vietnam, Thailand). After America’s Secret War in Laos, they fled as refugees across the world. The largest Hmong community hub in America is in the Twin Cities (Saint Paul & Minneapolis in Minnesota). You can learn more about the history of Hmong people here.

Hmong Spirituality:

In Hmong spirituality, community members practice animism and call upon shamans/spiritual healers to perform healing rituals that address physical and mental illness or that provide spiritual cleansing. Healers are well respected and spend a lot of time meeting the needs of their community. Although Hmong spirituality has become shaped by the people’s patriarchal clan structure over time, being a shaman is the only role that women can hold a leadership role in the traditional culture.

The Hmong terms for shaman are “txiv neeb” (tsee neng) and “niam neeb” (nia neng). In America, they are called “shaman” in the English language. Some prefer the term “spiritual healer.”

The Hmong experience a big wave of new shamans once every 100 or so years. In the U.S., a new large wave of shamans are rising, reshaping and redefining the practice for the next century.