Hmong Cultural Artifacts Sketch Drawings
by Seexeng Lee
An online exhibit of the Hmong Cultural Center Museum
The 9 drawings included in this online exhibit are part of a series of 14 sketch drawings of important Hmong cultural objects incorporated into the exhibit space of the Hmong Cultural Center museum in St. Paul, MN.
by Seexeng Lee
An online exhibit of the Hmong Cultural Center Museum
The 9 drawings included in this online exhibit are part of a series of 14 sketch drawings of important Hmong cultural objects incorporated into the exhibit space of the Hmong Cultural Center museum in St. Paul, MN.
Mouth Harp (Ncas). Made with brass, a bamboo case, and string. Young people used this instrument to communicate in secret during the courtship period.
Hmong Flute. Made of bamboo and brass reed, the Hmong flute instrument consists of a narrow bamboo tube with six finger holes in the front at the lower end and one open curve at the top end. The mouth is curved where the brass reed is inserted to produce melodies.
Qeej. Made with wood, bamboo, leather, metal, plastic and string, the Hmong Qeej consists of six bamboo tubes, which are curved and set into a wooden wind chest. Metal and leather-like bindings secure the pipes and bind the two portions of the wind chest together. The Qeej serves two purposes: 1) at Hmong funerals, its melody is used to guide the deceased person to the spirit world and 2) at festivals, young people perform it, displaying musical and acrobatic skills for entertainment.
Free Reed Pipe (Raj Npliam). Made with bamboo, cane and a brass reed, this pipe instrument consists of a narrow bamboo tube with six finger holes in the front and one in the back, which produce melodies. A brass reed is inserted in the side of the pipe and covered by a cane wrapping, which slides down the pipe to allow playing. Young men used this instrument to communicate in secret during courtship.
Two-String Violin (Xim Xau). Made from wood, coconut shells, plastic, wire, string and horsehair. The Hmong violin is used for playing melodies for both amusement and courtship purposes.
Hoe Digger (Tuam Txhob). Made with a wood handle and steel metal, this tool is used as a digging implement to make holes for posts, etc.
Hoe (Hlau). This tool is used to hoe and scrap weeds out of farming fields before planting.
Machete (Txuas). Made with a wood handle and steel metal, this handmade tool is used for slashing crop fields, cutting small trees, clearing bushes from a pathway, and digging out a tree's roots after a field is burned.
Rice Sickle (Liag). Made of wood and metal steel, this tool is used for cutting grains, clearing bushes, and busheling food for the purpose of raising animals.
