The Hmong People of Wisconsin (Friends and Strangers VII)
Friends and Strangers 7 is a gallery of photos of the Hmong people, mostly from public celebrations but also from some other settings with friends. This part of my series of photos of people, including Friends and Strangers I, Friends and Strangers II, More Photos of Friends, and Friends and Strangers III: Barcelona..
This Hmong woman in her traditional attire is a friend who inspires me with her faith and goodness. She was helping at a booth at the Hmong Soccert Tournament in Oshkosh, Sept, 2009.
A Hmong girl under an umbrella at the Hmong Soccer Tournament in Oshkosh, Sept. 2009. I used to think the main purpose of all the umbrellas at outdoor Hmong events was to shade people from the sun, but the umbrellas also add a lot of color (see examples below) while ensuring that soft, diffuse light enhances the beauty of Hmong women.
Hmong women holding umbrellas at a soccer tournament, Sept. 2009.
More Hmong people and colorful umbrellas at an outdoor soccer tournament, Sept. 2009.
Two girls in traditional Hmong attire using a traditional Hmong cell phone.
General Vang Pao, respected by many Hmong people as their George Washington who led them bravely back in the war, and speaks for Hmong freedom and progress today. Here he is speaking in Oshkosh at the Hmong Soccer Tournament, Sept. 2009. It was an honor to see him speaking, though I am aware that he has been the subject of some accusations.
Some Hmong men at a New Year's celebration at Appleton East High School. Dec. 2005.
Hmong women in traditional Hmong clothings at a soccer tournement in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, 2009
A Hmong woman makes a nice catch! This is a tradition at the Hmong New Year celebration. Boys and girls line up and toss balls back and forth as part of a courting ritual. In the Hmong language it is called "pov pob" and sounds something like "bah bah."
Hmong ball tossing a New Years festival in Appleton, 2005.
Some Hmong young men serving as Hmong-speaking Mormon missionaries (Latter-day Saiints) on a gwo-year mission in Wisconsin. They were at a booth at the Hmong soccer tournament in Oshkosh, 2009.
An elegant toss of a ball was just made by this Hmong woman at the Oshkosh Soccer Tournament, Sept. 2009.
Hmong men are great soccer players. This one uses deep Hmong magic to levitate a soccer ball during a Hmong soccer tournament in Oshkosh, 2009.
Yes, it's true. Hmong men can fly, especially when playing soccer. More deep Hmong magic. This team has a great Soccer Shaman (not shown--he's invisible).
More Hmong flying men, about to begin a game of soccer. They approach the soccer field while in flight, in mid-air, to impress the crowds and frighten their opponents. It seems unfair, but flying is perfectly legal in Hmong soccer.
He's still flying. Eventually they do have to come back to earth, especially when it's windy.
Hmong dancers posing at a New Years festival in Appleton, 2005.
Traditional Hmong clothing for women on display in Oshkosh, 2009.
Decisions, decisions. A young Hmong girl checks out some traditional Hmong fashion trends.
Hmong attire for purchase, on display in Oshkosh, 2009.
More Hmong fashion for women, for sale at the Oshkosh Hmong Soccer Tournament, 2009.
Some of the audience watching Hmong performances at a New Year's festival at Appleton East High School, 2005.
This sweet Hmong young woman in her traditional Hmong wardrobe is one of our friends from a terrific family.
Three Hmong girls at a Hmong New Years festival in Appleton, Wiscosnin, 2005.
Another nice catch by a Hmong girl.