Hmong in Minnesota

Paaj / Paj Ntaub: Memory, Identity, and Belonging

In commemoration of fifty years of the HMong community in Minnesota, a selection of paaj/paj ntaub from MNHS’s collections are on display at the Minnesota History Center. The selection highlights the exquisite artistic skills and ingenuity of HMong women. For generations, women provided clothing, household items, and income while preserving and passing on cultural symbols and stories to younger generations. Historically, HMong is an oral language. Hear text from this exhibit spoken in both Green and White HMong below. Additionally, English transcription of the exhibit text have been made available.

Please note that the HMong audio recording accompanying the transcriptions are not an exact word-for-word rendering of the printed version. In HMong oral traditions, meaning is carried not only through words but also through tone, rhythm, and expression. Therefore, tonal shifts and phrasing may differ slightly from the written text to honor the natural intonations and flow of the spoken language.