Reframing Hmong Religion

Abstract

Introduction What is Hmong religion? Although it is not new, this question is far from simple. A few scholars have, in the past, made serious attempts to answer it.1 Despite their efforts, a concise response remains elusive today. When answering this question, Hmong Americans face a dilemma, whether to offer a response that is convenient and easily understood by others, or to provide one that is culturally informed. Most people will opt for the first. Elaborating on the latter is more difficult. It requires not only a deeper understanding of Hmong spiritual practices, but also a willingness to question concepts that are deeply entrenched in a Western religious vernacular. Animism and shamanism have long served as etic (outsider) labels for Hmong religion.2 In this essay, I offer a critical review of the etic concepts of animism and shamanism to see how they have shaped public perception of Hmong religion. Despite their widespread acceptance by both Hmong and non-Hmong, do animism and shamanism do a good job of representing Hmong religious worldview? As an alternative, I will piece together the life of Siv Yig (pronounced “Shee Yee”) and place him at the center of the discussion on Hmong religion.3 The story of Siv Yig—acknowledged in the eyes of Hmong American practitioners as the father of Hmong religion—will add social and historical dimensions to Hmong ritual practices. The concepts of emic and etic are cherished in anthropology. Each offers a different view of everyday life. Emic refers to ideas that originate within a culture. It represents an insider’s understanding of his culture, traditions, and customs. An emic interpretation is thus an inside-out interpretation. It is an experientially grounded assessment of how life is lived. On the other hand, etic refers to ideas