The following article was submitted by Dr. Kaonou Hang-Vue, “AHmong Friends” Exhibition Organizer.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This year, the city of Manitowoc, Manitowoc Public Library and Manitowoc Public Schools went big on celebrating AAPI Heritage Month, in particular Hmong culture. On April 19, 2021, Mayor Justin Nickels proclaimed May 14th Hmong American Day (Manitowoc is the second city in Wisconsin behind Appleton to celebrate this day). Manitowoc Public Library featured an all-Hmong exhibit called “AHmong Friends” beginning on May 17, running through June 12, complete with a Hmong culture night celebration on June 1st at 5 PM. On May 14, 2021, Manitowoc Public Schools celebrated Hmong American Day in style by inviting their staff and students to wear Hmong clothes to school and took time to learn about the Hmong culture. Their beautiful pictures and touching stories flooded Facebook with Hmong pride. I’m so proud to call Manitowoc home!
The past few years, I’ve pondered how to share my beautiful and unique Hmong culture with the community. This collaboration with Manitowoc Public Library was the perfect platform to give the community a glimpse of who we are and where we came from as Hmong refugees of war. As I shared with Manitowoc Public Library’s Youth Services Manager, Julia Lee, if you don’t have a close Hmong friend, you may never get to wear Hmong clothes, see Hmong events/rituals or eat authentic Hmong food. Now, you have a Hmong friend in me as I share with you my Hmong culture!
When you’ve been a Hmong American living in the United States as long as I have, sometimes you only know enough of the Hmong language and culture to get by. Creating this exhibit made me realize the limited knowledge I held of Hmong history and the gap in education I didn’t even know existed. Luckily, I also experienced the amazingly supportive extended Hmong family and network I have within the Hmong community who had my back. As I collaborated with family and community members, local artists, Hmong leaders, and Hmong small business owners to put this exhibit together, the process of coming together solidified what I already knew about my culture and my people—they are some of the most loving and generous supporters.
My goal for this exhibit was to give everyone a glimpse into the 45 years of Hmong people in the United States and our customs, traditions, and beliefs. Visitors will get to see up-close shaman tools, experience the creativity of the Hmong people through their normal, every day household objects back in Laos/Thailand, view some grand Hmong story cloths that brought the Hmong story alive, find out what a qeej is and more! Although I am very proud of how the exhibit came together, I discovered I barely scratched the surface in other areas of Hmong culture. I guess that means there will be more to come!
To celebrate the conclusion of AAPI month and in conjunction with the “AHmong Friends” exhibit, Manitowoc Public Library is hosting its first Hmong Culture Night on June 1st at 5 PM. Local Hmong artists will display some of their talents through Hmong dancing and singing. You will be able to see some traditional Hmong activities like ball tossing and listen to traditional Hmong chanting. You’ll also have the opportunity to experience a Hmong book reading and hear some history on the Hmong people. The night wouldn’t be complete without a fashion show showcasing the beautiful variations in Hmong clothes. Youth who attend the exhibit can make some Hmong-inspired crafts to take home.
This is an event you will not want to miss! Registration is required and opens May 18. You can register online at manitowoclibrary.org/srp. Can’t make it in-person? We’ll be live streaming the event on the library Facebook page and YouTube channel. See you all there!
