In this post I will discuss the H'Mông people. The H'Mông ethnic group can be found in the mountainous regions of China, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. The H'Mông make up roughly 1% of Vietnam's population. The H'Mông celebrate Tết for many of the same reasons as other ethnic groups, to call home the souls of the dead ancestors, ask for help from household spirits, and to get rid of harmful spirits. During Tết they take a break from work and do not speak critically of one another [2].
During New Years celebrations, there are performances of traditions songs and dances, such as the dance in this video:
During Tết, the Hmong wear traditional clothing, such as the clothing in the photos below.
During Tết children play a game called lato, which is similar to sepak takraw, a game in which you play tennis with a small bamboo ball using your feet or hands to hit to ball over the net. Teenage children also play a special game of catch in which boys line up on one side and girls on the other [1]. While playing catch, the teenagers sing traditional songs. The game is meant to help these young adults develop relationships with their peers, especially those from the opposite sex [2]. The video below shows a Hmong New Years celebration in Laos, including many people playing this game of catch. The H'Mông also celebrate Tết in Thailand and Laos, where it is called Peb Caug [1].
[1] Millett, Sandra. 2002. The Hmong of Southeast Asia.
[2] Cultural Orientation Resource Center. "The Hmong: An Introduction To Their History and Culture." http://www.cal.org/co/hmong/hlaos.html
