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High Hopes in the New Country: Hmong Graduation Ceremony
 | For most Americans, successfully finishing high school or college is marked by a cap and gown ceremony. For traditional Hmong, the celebration is somewhat different, but no less important. Brian Bull reports:Soua Thao (left) and Chue Dou Thao (right) are two out of a dozen members of the Thao Clan to graduate this year in Wisconsin. |
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 An arrangement of roses, white yarn, and eggs. |
Since arriving in the United States in the 1970s, many Hmong families have struggled to make a living. Language and cultural conflicts have particularly posed challenges, but many Hmong see higher education as a way to surpass these obstacles and succeed in their new surroundings.
This year, the children and relatives of Nhia Chao Thao and his wife, Mee Xiong, are celebrating the accomplishments of twelve graduates in the Clan. The event began with a special Hmong graduation ceremony, which called for the participation of the young scholars and traditional elders. |
| Several hundred relatives and friends attended this graduation event, which lasted nearly twelve hours. Guests sat on one end of the banquet hall, while Clan elders had their own table at the other end. |  |
At the start of the ceremony, all of the graduates are brought up before the elders. The main speaker praises their accomplishments, and also their families.
 | Gratitude is also expressed towards the elders, who then approach the graduates and tie strands of white yarn around their wrist, for luck. Money and eggs are also presented to the young people as symbols of wealth and good fortune. |
The elders then examine the cooked carcasses of a chicken and pig. They feel the contours of the bird's feet and beak, and the pig's head, for fortune-telling. It's hoped that the elders will give a bright forecast of the graduates' future....which is often the case. The young men then bow before the elders, to show respect and gratitude. |  |
 | With the ceremony completed, food is shared with all the guests, including platters of fruit, trays of roasted pork, and many homemade stir-fry and curry dishes. Speakers and live music also provide entertainment. Bao Thao (right) works the tables to feed guests. |
Members of the Thao Clan say that this celebration is for all family members, not just the graduates. They also point out that there are still relatives living in Laos or Thailand, many in refugee camps or in hiding. It's hoped that some day all the relatives can be together and enjoy peaceful and prosperous lives.
Text and photos by Brian Bull, 2005.
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