Sally A. Baas

What Does It Mean to Be Hmong in the Twin Cities of Minnesota? Sally A. Baas

What does it mean to be Hmong in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, according to the Hmong 18 Clan Council and associated women leaders? This study gives evidence from those chosen to maintain the Hmong culture. Results focused on six themes: language (to speak, read, and write the Hmong language); culture (to sew and wear traditional Hmong clothes; spiritual life (to understand and participate in Hmong rituals and to play the traditional instruments); to respect one?s family; and to provide leadership to assure the continuation of Hmong practices, ?to be Hmong, in the Hmong way?. The 18 Council community leaders have the obligation to preserve the Hmong identity and to help the Hmong people find ways to mediate their differences with dignity, integrity, and honor. Associated women leaders provided the bridge to the data collection journey and the female perspective on the culture.