Hmong Textiles

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The Hmong people are well known for their survival antics from their silent war with China and their migration from the Vietnam War. Hmong is a term many have never even heard of but their culture it is known as "free people." Hmong textiles has survived just like their whole culture. The attractive handcrafted designs have been in their history for over two centuries, and their embroideries are popular among the Asian countries as well as the United States. Hmong textiles includes a variety of embroideries on their Flower cloths, story cloths, and their New Year dress. All fabrics have powerful importance in their customs to bring prosperity and good fortunes. Needlework is a substantial skill in their community that can not be forgotten, symbolizing work ethics and preservation of their culture. Hmong textiles are designed with a variety of geometric shapes and patterns. Shapes are regularly added to their dresses, headdresses, and flower cloths. During the Hmong New Year, men and women wear a traditional dress with a turban wrap or a rooster hat. The dress has a very conservative style; covering majority of the body of the man or woman. It is designed by adding embroideries and appliqués. The headdress is also a main part of the dress. Turban wrap is used as a rounded covering for the head, conversely the rooster hat is highly decorated and resembling the comb of a rooster. The flower cloth, or the Hmong word "Paj Ntaub", has been in the Hmong history for over two centuries. Flower cloths are embroideries contain mainly geometric designs and bright yarns. Hmong textiles are often embellished with bright yarns and are usually know as "story cloths." They were weaved to narrate different series of events: the villa... ... middle of paper ... ...anges are not accepted by all the communities. People of Hmong background higly believe by changing, you are also forgetting your line of ancestors. For example, the Rooster hat is not widely accepted because it is new and is nothing like the silk turban wrap. The rooster hat hides the flaws of certain woman and some men do not find any beauty in it. Since the Hmong have endured and survived as a culture, they believe in preservation of the entire traditions. Embroideries and methods have not changed much but the use of fabric has updated. Flower cloth has evolved to story cloths relating to all their past historic events. Although the Hmong have adjusted with certain changes, their preservation of their skillful handcraft has not. It is an important value, tradition, and ritual to their culture that has continued to exist even through American society.

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