Story cloths reveal much about the Hmong way of life. Each embroidered cloth is a colorful illustration of everyday village life in the Hmong homeland.

   Some cloths depict how families depend on each member to take responsibility for fulfilling daily duties such as fetching water for cooking, planting and harvesting crops, feeding livestock, chopping firewood, taking care of siblings, cooking, or cleaning.

   Some cloths tell of love's strong bond and of marriage that withstands all odds. It is common to use contrasting colors for the repetitive mountain symbols in the story cloth's border.

   Traditional basket weaving has been part of Southeast Asian culture for thousands of years. Used primarily to carry and prepare food, these practical works of art have also strengthened ties with family members and peers through the sharing of folk tales and other cultural traditions. Making baskets has traditionally been a very important activity since they are such functional items.

   Basket weaving is a skill that is traditionally taught to young Hmong children by the village elders. In the Hmong homeland baskets are made using thin strips of bamboo. But since coming to America many have found thin strips of colorful plastic to be a fine alternative to bamboo. Baskets often are named according to their function.

   The Qeej (Kaeng) songs played for funerals are sacred and cannot be played in the home. There are songs you play in celebration, for fun, in the home, etc.   As a story-telling instrument, the qeej expresses the story of life, the myths, legends and folktales, hopes and dreams, loss, separation and displacement from one’s homeland and so on.

   An example of a song played in the home is the sad tale of an orphan who longs for love, family, friends, relatives, education, and a life like others.

   Hmong ceremonial silver necklaces have traditionally served four primary purposes: personal adornment, an indication of family wealth, a bridal dowry, and a religious function of locking the restless soul to the body.

   Silver neck rings, heavy chains with pendants, earrings, bracelets, charms and rings traditionally demonstrated a Hmong family’s wealth in the home country. They are hand-crafted from silver bars by skilled Hmong artists. Much of the silver is worn with the beautiful traditional outfits by the young and old Hmong during the New Year’s celebrations.