Hmong-made baby hat from Thailand
One of the most charming ideas I have learned, during my study of Hmong people, is that they hold a traditional belief that all babies live in the clouds before descending to earth. In the world of the Hmong, there are myths that are retold from generation to generation, as is the same in our own American culture. The Hmong also very much believe in the Spirit World. Babies are prized possessions.
I don’t plan to get into a total discussion of that here. Suffice it to say that the colorful and well-decorated hats made for Hmong babies are intended to trick the dabs or evil spirits from snatching the baby’s spirit away. The hats disguise the youngsters and make them appear like little flowers from above or from a distance.
I feel very lucky to have procured this antique example of such a hat. My studies of the Hmong people have not ended with the three major articles I wrote (one of which is present on our website). I still have additional books to read.
One of the most interesting books I have read is centered around an epileptic child and her treatment in California, and how that treatment did not coincide with traditional Hmong approaches or thought. The book portrays a total culture clash and lack of understanding by the medical community, and their insensitivity, and the medical staffs’ notion that the family was being non-compliant with their prescribed treatments.
Monica Chiu, Ph.D., Associate Professor of English at the University of New Hampshire, and editor of Asian Americans in New England, wrote a lengthy analytical, scholarly paper in the Hmong Studies Journal about the Fadiman book that is well worth your time to read.
Having already read Anne Fadiman’s book, described above, called, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, I found Dr. Chiu’s paper to be most enjoyable and found myself agreeing with her, on every point.
Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications
