Amidst Minnesota’s diverse culture pot of people, Hmong culture has preserved its traditions, celebrations, and values. With over 12 million Hmong people in the world, the culture has grown greatly.
Hmong culture is transnational within each community, and depending on the area, the culture can differ. For instance, the
Hmong language has several dialects, with the two main ones being White Hmong (Hmong Daw) and Green Hmong (Hmong Njua). White Hmong is typically spoken in northern regions of Laos and Vietnam and Green Hmong in southern regions.
However, a unifying characteristic is the 18 clan-based societies associated with last names and the clan or family to which one belongs.
In my values, I always put family first. For me, being Hmong means being with my family and embracing your culture.
— Serene Kalugdan
At SPA, the Hmong community makes up very little of the student population; however, it is a highly prominent culture within Minnesota, making up more than 5% of the population, according to Minnesota Compass.
Junior Serene Kalugdan grew up frequently practicing Hmong traditions with her family.
“In my values, I always put family first. For me, being Hmong means being with my family and embracing your culture,” Kalugdan said.
Kalugdan has also experienced challenges with her Hmong identity, specifically in the rules followed by Hmong clan affiliates.
“Since the last names are so tightly connected to the clans, it means that if you marry someone outside of Hmong culture, you lose your clan,” she said.
Hmong New Year serves as a celebration of culture, a way to give thanks to ancestors, and a welcome to a new beginning. The tradition takes place all over the world, but in St. Paul, at the River Center, a huge annual celebration occurs, with more than 30,000 Hmong people coming from Minnesota and all over the world.
Sophomore Lani Ngonethong has grown up attending the celebration her whole life: “It is amazing to see all these young kids from California and outside of Minnesota, and you get to dress up, and everything is so pretty,” Ngonethong said.
Because of the SPA student body’s small community of Hmong students, it is easy to lose culture.
“Hmong is rarely spoken, especially with the next generation, and my mom always told me at this rate, in 50 years, the language could die out,” Ngonethong said.
Hmong culture emphasizes relationships and celebrating traditions. In the SPA community, Hmong students continue the culture by acknowledging and appreciating the values and beliefs that come with it.
