Week 8

Mary Qin
Week 8
ASA 141

"Hmong History through Textiles," a article by Ava McCall talks about how clothing designs and embroidery are not just an art form in the Hmong culture, but also allows the Hmong people to tell their history and express their identities. It allows the Hmong people to preserve their stories. Since they are a minority group that has been displaced and scattered around the world, I think that it is really amazing that they are still able to hold onto their people's history and stories through these traditional clothing. They are practically wearing art on themselves, which reminds me a lot about our conversation about tattoos last week. Tattoos also are an art form that can tell a story, one's history, or reflect something significant to an individual. Traditional tribal tattoos are especially designed to tell stories much like Hmong textiles. Because of this deep significance, I can see why people can get offended if someone chooses to wear these clothing without regard of the deeper meaning or significance behind them. It can be like disregarding their history and the people who created the clothing. History is a big part of identity and thus is very important to a people group, especially a group like the Hmong people. However, I would like to ask, if someone really liked the Hmong embroidery designs and had a dress created to reflect their own history, would that be hurtful or offensive to the Hmong community?