ENGLISH VERSION
The following article was submitted by Krystina Yang, one of the presenters of “Stitching Our Story” at the Manitowoc Public Library.
Hello, everyone. My name is Krystina Yang. Allow me to tell you a little about myself.
I fell in love with and in Manitowoc while studying at the local 2-year college. I am currently employed with the University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension in the FoodWIse program. Some things that I enjoy are gardening and learning languages, and I’m currently studying at UW-Green Bay in the Communication program.
Krystina Yang
I wanted to invite you to join myself and Nenglee Vang for a 4-week Cross-Stitching workshop where you will learn about symbolism in the traditional art of Hmong embroidery. We’re calling it “Stitching Our Story” because, honestly, that’s what the whole workshop is about. Best of all, the supplies that you’ll need to create a bookmark and coaster are provided for free!.
One thing I noticed while living in Manitowoc was that many people—old and young alike—do not know much about Hmong traditions. I hope that “Stitching Our Story” will bring some awareness to the community about the declining art of Hmong embroidery. We will discuss the evolution of Hmong embroidery, including the different clans, regions, nearby influential cultures, and technological advances that have helped form the variety of Hmong textiles found today.
Hmong embroidery is still used today on garments for celebrations such as weddings or New Year. However, Hmong clothing is less and less frequently hand sewn.
Though much knowledge has been lost through the years, much imagery has been identified on Hmong cloth. Intricate designs of traditional clothes display wealth or skill. Having well-made clothes will provide you with better chances of being matched up at the New Year, where many young people gather to find a soulmate after harvest.
So, come, observe, and participate in this casual sewing circle where you can make and keep two Hmong-inspired crafts. Expand your knowledge of Hmong embroidery.
Classes begin on September 16 and will be held every Thursday from 6 PM to 7 PM at the Manitowoc Public Library in the Idea Box makerspace on the Library’s First Floor. We look forward to seeing you there!
HMONG VERSION
Cov kab ntawv hauv qab no tau xa los ntawm Krystina Yang, yog ib tus neeg tshaj tawm xov xwm ntawm “Stitching Our Story” ntawm Manitowoc Public Library.
Nyob zoo, Sawv daws. Kuv lub npe hu ua Krystina Yang. Cia kuv qhia koj txog kuv tus kheej.
Kuv cia li nyiam thaum sijhawm kuv tuaj kawm ntawv nyob lub tsev kawm ntawv qib siab 2 xyoo nyob hauv lub zos Minitowoc no. Tam sis no kuv ua hauv lwm rau hauv lub tsev kawm ntawv qib siab University of Wisconsin-Madison division of Extension txog rau FoodWise Program. Tej yam ua kuv nyiam yog kev uas teb zaub thiab kawm lwm haiv neeg lus, thiab kuv tabtom kawm ntawv nyob hauv UW-Green Bay txog rau kev hais lus rau tib neeg (Communication Program).
Nenglee Vang
Kuv thov caw koj los koom kuv thiab Neeblis Vaj li 4 lub lim tiam (weeks) tom ntej no, lub rooj cob qhia kawm txog rau kev xaws paj ntaub Hmoob, koj yuav kawm txog Hmoob tej qauv paj ntaub. Peb yuav los xaws daim paj ntaub muaj lub npe tias “Xaws Txog Peb Lub Neej”, vim tias lub rooj cob qhia no yog qhov peb yuav kawm txog xwb ntag. Qhov zoo tshaj, yog cov khoom thiab txhuaj yam siv los rau lub rooj cob qhia no los pub dawb rau peb los siv xwb!
Ib yam uas kuv pom yog thaum nyob rau hauv lub zos Manitowoc pom tias muaj neeg coob coob – cov laus cov hluas los zoo ib yam nkaus – tsis paub txog Hmoob. Kuv xav tias thaum peb “ Xaw Txog Peb Lub Neej” yuav qhia kom peb paub txog Hmoob pab ntaub nyob rau hauv peb lub zej zog. Peb yauv tham txog qauv paj ntaub Hmoob tsim tawm, xws li ib cov Hmoob xaws lawm ib yam, ib lub teb chaws xaws lawm ib yam paj ntaub, ib lub teb chaws xaus lawm ib yam paj ntaub lawv li cov neeg nyob rau ntawm thaj chaw ntawd.
Paj Ntaub Hmoob niaj hnub nim no tseem siv los hnav thaum muaj no peb caug, tub ntxhais sib yuav, thiab muaj koob tsheej. Tsis tas li ntawd los neej kuj tsis tshuam hnav thiab xuas tes xaw pes tsawg lawm.
Cov paub thiab txawj ua paj ntaub kuj tau ploj zuj zus lawm, tab sis tej qauv paj ntaub tseem nyob ntawm peb tej khaub ncaus. Muaj tej qauv paj ntaub zoo nkauj los hnav yuav ua rau cov hluas muaj feem nrhiav tau tus txij knawm nyob rau tom lub tsiab peb caug.
Yog lis ntawv tuaj saib thiab koom nrog peb kawm xaw paj ntaub ua ke rau ntawm no koj yuav xyaum thiab khaws tau 2 yam paj ntaub Hmoob. Koj yuav paub txog kev ua paj ntaub Hmoob paj ntaub ntau ntxiv.
Yauv pib kawm nyob rau lub 9 hlis ntuj tim 16 thiab yuav muaj kawm txhuas hnub 4 (Thursday) thaum 6 pm mus txog rau 7pm nyob hauv lub tsev khaws ntaub ntawv (Manitowoc Public Library). Cias siab tias yuav tau ntsib nej hnub ntawd nyob rau tod!
