Hmong Funerals

Northern Vietnam

 

For the Hmong minority in Vietnam, death is a highly important event together with the funeral ritual. In Hmong culture, the soul of the dead person is believed to return to his birthplace prior to travel to the afterlife to meet his ancestors and get reincarnated. The goal of the funeral ritual is to guide the soul of the deceased to the spirit world.

Read the full story here: TRAVEL TO THE AFTERLIFE, OR HMONG FUNERALS IN VIETNAM

Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
The traditional Hmong drum is beaten at the funeral as well as the flute-like instrument to help guide the deceased person’s spirit to its ancestral home.
The traditional Hmong drum is beaten at the funeral as well as the flute-like instrument to help guide the deceased person’s spirit to its ancestral home.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
As part of the funeral ritual, animals are sacrificed as offering to the spirit of the deceased and served to the guests, usually, the entire village.
As part of the funeral ritual, animals are sacrificed as offering to the spirit of the deceased and served to the guests, usually, the entire village.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
If the deceased is an old person, a buffalo, a very valuable animal for the Hmong, is sacrificed. Otherwise, it can be pigs and chicken.
If the deceased is an old person, a buffalo, a very valuable animal for the Hmong, is sacrificed. Otherwise, it can be pigs and chicken.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
As part of the funeral ritual, animals are sacrificed as offering to the spirit of the deceased and served to the guests, usually, the entire village.
As part of the funeral ritual, animals are sacrificed as offering to the spirit of the deceased and served to the guests, usually, the entire village.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
The Hmong believe that the sacrificed animals will guide the deceased’s spirit on his journey to the afterlife.
The Hmong believe that the sacrificed animals will guide the deceased’s spirit on his journey to the afterlife.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
As part of the funeral ceremony, everybody wears a white headband on the head, a sign of the funeral.
As part of the funeral ceremony, everybody wears a white headband on the head, a sign of the funeral.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
The traditional Hmong drum is beaten at the funeral as well as the flute-like instrument to help guide the deceased person’s spirit to its ancestral home.
The traditional Hmong drum is beaten at the funeral as well as the flute-like instrument to help guide the deceased person’s spirit to its ancestral home.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
The traditional Hmong drum is beaten at the funeral as well as the flute-like instrument to help guide the deceased person’s spirit to its ancestral home.
The traditional Hmong drum is beaten at the funeral as well as the flute-like instrument to help guide the deceased person’s spirit to its ancestral home.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
As part of the funeral ceremony, everybody wears a white headband on the head, a sign of the funeral.
As part of the funeral ceremony, everybody wears a white headband on the head, a sign of the funeral.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Funeral procession on its way to the burial ground.
Funeral procession on its way to the burial ground.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
A person in front of the funeral procession is holding a torch used to “light” the way for the deceased person.
A person in front of the funeral procession is holding a torch used to “light” the way for the deceased person.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
The funeral procession consists only of men as women are scared of the evil spirits present around when there is a death.
The funeral procession consists only of men as women are scared of the evil spirits present around when there is a death.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Funeral procession on its way to the burial ground.
Funeral procession on its way to the burial ground.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Funeral procession on its way to the burial ground.
Funeral procession on its way to the burial ground.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
The family members dig the grave and the body dressed in the burial clothes is placed facing west as the Hmong believe that west is the direction of death.
The family members dig the grave and the body dressed in the burial clothes is placed facing west as the Hmong believe that west is the direction of death.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
The family members dig the grave and the body dressed in the burial clothes is placed facing west as the Hmong believe that west is the direction of death.
The family members dig the grave and the body dressed in the burial clothes is placed facing west as the Hmong believe that west is the direction of death.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Once all the items required for the passage to the afterlife are put in the casket by the head of the deceased, it’s placed underground and covered with earth.
Once all the items required for the passage to the afterlife are put in the casket by the head of the deceased, it’s placed underground and covered with earth.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Once all the items required for the passage to the afterlife are put in the casket by the head of the deceased, it’s placed underground and covered with earth.
Once all the items required for the passage to the afterlife are put in the casket by the head of the deceased, it’s placed underground and covered with earth.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Once all the items required for the passage to the afterlife are put in the casket by the head of the deceased, it’s placed underground and covered with earth.
Once all the items required for the passage to the afterlife are put in the casket by the head of the deceased, it’s placed underground and covered with earth.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Once all the items required for the passage to the afterlife are put in the casket by the head of the deceased, it’s placed underground and covered with earth.
Once all the items required for the passage to the afterlife are put in the casket by the head of the deceased, it’s placed underground and covered with earth.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Men waiting for a sign to place the casket underground.
Men waiting for a sign to place the casket underground.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Once all the items required for the passage to the afterlife are put in the casket by the head of the deceased, it’s placed underground and covered with earth.
Once all the items required for the passage to the afterlife are put in the casket by the head of the deceased, it’s placed underground and covered with earth.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
The family members put clothes in the casket together with other items such as a bottle of rice wine, a bag of rice, cooked chicken, a knife etc. to provide the deceased person with food and all the necessary items for his journey to the afterlife.
The family members put clothes in the casket together with other items such as a bottle of rice wine, a bag of rice, cooked chicken, a knife etc. to provide the deceased person with food and all the necessary items for his journey to the afterlife.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
The family members put clothes in the casket together with other items such as a bottle of rice wine, a bag of rice, cooked chicken, a knife etc. to provide the deceased person with food and all the necessary items for his journey to the afterlife.
The family members put clothes in the casket together with other items such as a bottle of rice wine, a bag of rice, cooked chicken, a knife etc. to provide the deceased person with food and all the necessary items for his journey to the afterlife.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Once all the items required for the passage to the afterlife are put in the casket by the head of the deceased, it’s placed underground and covered with earth.
Once all the items required for the passage to the afterlife are put in the casket by the head of the deceased, it’s placed underground and covered with earth.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Once all the items required for the passage to the afterlife are put in the casket by the head of the deceased, it’s placed underground and covered with earth.
Once all the items required for the passage to the afterlife are put in the casket by the head of the deceased, it’s placed underground and covered with earth.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Once all the items required for the passage to the afterlife are put in the casket by the head of the deceased, it’s placed underground and covered with earth.
Once all the items required for the passage to the afterlife are put in the casket by the head of the deceased, it’s placed underground and covered with earth.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Women watching a video of the burial ceremony taken with a phone by someone from the procession.
Women watching a video of the burial ceremony taken with a phone by someone from the procession.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Women watching a video of the burial ceremony taken with a phone by someone from the procession.
Women watching a video of the burial ceremony taken with a phone by someone from the procession.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
After the body has been buried, the family of the deceased invite the family members and the guests for a feast.
After the body has been buried, the family of the deceased invite the family members and the guests for a feast.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Rice wine is flowing around contributing to the atmosphere.
Rice wine is flowing around contributing to the atmosphere.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
After having emptied the glass, people shake hands looking at each other’s eyes. “Cheers” in Hmong is heard everywhere.
After having emptied the glass, people shake hands looking at each other’s eyes. “Cheers” in Hmong is heard everywhere.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
The meat of the buffalo scarified at the funeral is shared among the family and the guests.
The meat of the buffalo scarified at the funeral is shared among the family and the guests.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Rice wine is flowing around contributing to the atmosphere.
Rice wine is flowing around contributing to the atmosphere.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
As it’s taboo to show distress, people are laughing, playing cards, drinking, smoking, eating and cheerfully talking to each other.
As it’s taboo to show distress, people are laughing, playing cards, drinking, smoking, eating and cheerfully talking to each other.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
After the body has been buried, the family of the deceased invite the family members and the guests for a feast.
After the body has been buried, the family of the deceased invite the family members and the guests for a feast.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Traditionally, Hmong graves represent a mound of earth covered with boulders and tree branches to protect it against animals.
Traditionally, Hmong graves represent a mound of earth covered with boulders and tree branches to protect it against animals.
Hmong funerals in Vietnam
Three days following the burial the men return to the burial site to build a proper grave.
Three days following the burial the men return to the burial site to build a proper grave.
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