When the going gets tough, the tough get traditional—or that's what we learned by reading The Spirit Catches You, at least. In retelling the story of the Hmong people and their long history of persecution, the book shows how the Hmong, instead of losing hope and wallowing in despair, cling even tighter to their traditions and use their strong culture to unite the community during tough times. Even when fate brings them to America—a place with little respect for the Hmong's unique cultural practices—the community never loses its grip on those traditions. And trust us—they're going to need them.
Questions About Tradition and Customs
- Why is tradition so important in Hmong culture?
- Do you think it's right of the older Hmong to oppose cultural assimilation?
- How does traditional Hmong society make American doctors' lives harder?
- How will living in America affect the younger generations' view of Hmong tradition?
Chew on This
The disciplined adherence to Hmong tradition is a survival mechanism developed after many, many years of persecution and exile.
Although the older Hmong refugees stick to Hmong culture, many of the younger generation have taken on Western values at the expense of their heritage.