The Hmong Cultural Repertoire: Explaining cultural variation within an ethnic group*
Author(s):
Hein, Jeremy
Format:
Journal article
Citation:
Hmong Studies Journal, Volume 2, Issue 2 (1998). pp. 1-1+.
Language:
English
Abstract:
Data on 382 Hmong in Laos and the United States reveal three types of cultural expertise: performing spiritual-medical healing; conducting life cycle rituals; and creating arts and crafts. Only 31 percent of this sample engage in one or more of the practices in this cultural repertoire. A mere 10 percent of the sample account for 54 percent of the 247 cultural practices. This pattern reveals the paradoxical relationship between ethnicity and culture. While all ethnic groups have a culture, there is considerable variation among members in their use of the group's cultural repertoire. This paper uses regression analysis to explain why some Hmong have more cultural practices than others. The results suggest that males have greater access to the Hmong cultural repertoire due their positions of authority in Laos, but that maternal cultural practices promote use of the repertoire by their children regardless of leadership status.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]