Hmong

The Hmong are an ethnic group and linguistic community in East and Southeast Asia, with a widespread diaspora. In their homeland, they are concentrated in China (notably Guizhou, Yunnan, Guangxi, and surrounding provinces), as well as in Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. Large Hmong communities also exist in the United States, especially in Minnesota, Wisconsin, California, and Michigan, along with communities in France, Australia, Canada, and other countries formed by recent migrations. The Hmong population worldwide is estimated in the millions.

Language and writing systems constitute a key aspect of Hmong identity. The Hmong speak languages in the Hmong-Mien (Miao–Yao) family, with major dialect groups such as White Hmong (Hmoob Dawb) and Green/Blue Hmong (Hmoob Ntsuab or Hmong Njua). Dialects can differ substantially, affecting mutual intelligibility. A Romanized Popular Alphabet (RPA) writing system was developed in the 1950s and became widely used in education and literacy efforts, particularly among overseas communities. The indigenous Pahawh Hmong script was created in the mid-20th century by Shong Lue Yang and remains symbolic for some groups.

Culture is diverse and clan-based, with strong ties to family and lineage. Traditional clothing, textile arts, and embroidery play prominent roles in ceremonial dress and storycloths (paj ntaub), which depict legends and cultural memory. Religion ranges from traditional animist and shamanic practices to influences from Buddhism, Christianity, and Catholicism, depending on region and history. The Hmong have experienced significant historical displacement, especially during the 20th century conflicts in Southeast Asia, which contributed to major migratory waves and the formation of important diaspora communities in North America and beyond.