Mong is an ancient people whose ancestry can be traced back to at least 4000 years in China. The term “Mong” derives from the word Moob, the official name we called ourselves. There are two groups: Mong Leng and Hmong Der. In the west, Mong Leng is also known as Blue or Green Mong. Nevertheless, Green Mong is a name with negative connotation so it should not be used.

There are still other groups such as striped, black, red, and/or flowery; however, they all fall under the Mong Leng or Hmong Der group. Originally, however, the entire ethnicity was said to be Mong Leng only. This could give a better understanding of why the majority of the groups’ members in today’s world in China, Vietnam, and Thailand in particualr, are mostly Mong Leng.

History of the Mong

From time immemorial, the Mong as a people have existed for over five thousand years in China. The Chinese referred to them as the “Miao.” The Laotians and Thai called them “Meo.” However, they call themselves the “Mong.” The Mong are a tightly connected ethnic group numbering around 10 million worldwide. Their native language belongs to the Mong-Mien branch, an ancient linguistic family that predates the development of Sinitic (Chinese) languages and falls under the broader Sino-Tibetan language group of Asia. Having no their own writing system, their early history was recorded by the Chinese and Western scholars. The Mong are found in China, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar (Burma), Laos, the United States, Canada, France, French Guiana, Germany, Australia, and Argentina.

The origin of the Mong is unknown. However, four theories of their origin emerged at the turn of the century. These theories proposed that the Mong might have originated:

1. from Mesopotamia
2. from the South (the theory of Ultimate Southern Origin) which could be from India, Burma or Tonkin
3. from China, and
4. from Siberia (Russia).

Although the origin of the Mong remains uncertain, the majority of researchers state that the Mong were in China before the Chinese. Then, in the 18th century, groups of Mong migrated from China to settle in Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar (Burma). Following the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, a number of the Mong in Laos were resettled in the United States, France, Canada, French Guiana, Australia, and Argentina.

The following points represent the chronology of the Mong history:

• It dates back to the confusion of language in Ta Soa;
• Savina stated that the Mong belonged to a subgroup of the Turanians (a Caucasoid people) originating from the Pamir in Central Asia that was forced out by the Aryans. They migrated through Turkestan, Russia, Siberia, Mongolia, Manchuria, Honan, Tibet, and the Yellow River.
• Shang Dynasty (2497 B.C.)

Tseu-You (a Mong leader) led the Mong to attack encroaching Chinese Hoang-ti (later known as the “Yellow Emperor”) of the Shang Dynasty. Hoang-ti reorganized the Mong into the eight-family system still known today as:

1. Mong Si [Moob Sib]
2. Black Mong [Moob Dlub]
3. Mong Dlang [Moob Dlaaj]
4. Mong Sua Fang [Moob Suav Faaj]
5. Mong Yuapa [Moob Ncuav Pa]
6. Mong Yochua [Moob Yob Tshuab]
7. Flowery Mong [Moob Paaj] or Mong Kuabang [Moob Quasnpaab]
8. Mong Lahau [Moob Labhaus], according to the colors of their costumes;

• Chou Dynasty (1028 BC-257 B.C.)

The Chou Dynasty sent the Mong to Southern Kansu as a political buffer in an unsafe site. This particular place was controlled by a group of fierce mountain people led by a chief called “The White Wolf.”

• Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD)

The Han Dynasty directed a “southern pacification policy” to the Mong.

• Tang Dynasty (618 AD)

The Tang Dynasty launched a campaign to reconquer all territories that were previously lost to the Mong and brought a great deal of Mong territory under Chinese administrative control.

• Sung Dynasty (907 AD)

The Sung Dynasty proposed a fake marriage of a Mong princess, Ngao Shing (Nkauj See), to a Chinese prince next in line for the throne and imposed a policy of fight and flight to the Mong.

• Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

The Ming Dynasty continued to oppress the Mong and as a consequence a “Mong Wall” (smaller than the Great Wall) was built on the Hunan-Kweichow border to forbid the Mong to trade with the Chinese.

• Manchu Dynasty (1644-1911)

The Manchu Dynasty imposed heavy taxes on the Mong and continued to suppress the Mong.

• Mong Migration (1810-1820)

The Mong migrated to Laos by way of Vietnam, then to Myanmar (Burma), and Thailand in the late 17th century, but the influx of the migration started from 1810-1820. The Mong from the basin of the Hoai that sprawled through Hupeh, Kiang-Si, and Hunan, the Blue River from the basin of the West River, continued their journey to the northeast as far as Kweichow. Kweichow was the base of the Mong concentration where they used to migrate to other provinces, such as Kiangsi, in the south to Kwangtung, in the north to Szechwan, and in the west to Yunan.

• The Treaty of Tien Tshin (1884)

In 1884, France and China signed the Treaty of Tien Tshin and the Mong in Laos assisted France to push the Chinese garrisons (the warlords and bandits) that occupied various sectors of the frontier called “the Black Flags” back to China.

• Relationship between the French and the Mong deteriorated (1917-1922)

In 1916, in Laos, the French applied several taxes. In 1917-1922, due to the imposition of heavy taxes on the Mong, Pang Chay Thao led the Mong to revolt against the French known as “The Pang Chay War” (Rog Paaj Cai), also known by the Laotian as “Rog Phi-ba” (“The Mad Spirit War”), and the French called this war as “La Guerre du Fou” (The War of the Madman).

• World War II (1941-1945)

In 1941-1945, the Mong were involved in World War II. This war was known by the Mong as “Rog Yivpoos” (The Japanese War).

• In 1946, it was the beginning of the Cold War between the USA and the Soviet Union;
• In 1963-1975, the Mong in Laos were involved in “The U.S. Secret Army in Laos” as part of the Vietnam War;
• In 1975, the Mong in Laos migrated to the refugee camps in Thailand;
• In 1976, the Mong refugees in Thailand began their resettlement in the Western countries, e.g. the United States, France, Germany, French Guiana, Canada, and Australia.

In both Laos and the United States, the Mong population is divided into two main cultural and linguistic groups, each recognized by distinct dialects, traditions, and styles of dress. One group is the “Mong Leng” (Moob Leeg) who always identifies themselves as the “Mong,” spelled “M-o-n-g” with the initial “M.” Westerners also know the Mong Leng as “Blue Mong.” Another group is the “Hmong Der” (Hmoob Dawb) who always identifies themselves as the “Hmong,” spelled “H-m-o-n-g” with the initial “H.” Westerners also know the Hmong Der as “White Hmong.” Both groups have a history of intermarriage and harmonious relations at the turn of the century.

Traditional Clothing & Textile Art

Mong women begin learning textile arts as early as age 7, mastering Paj Ntaub, the intricate flower-cloth embroidery that decorates costumes, carriers, and ceremonial textiles.

Their outfits are rich in color and symbolism. The fabric is traditionally woven from hemp or cotton, then waxed and dyed – especially with indigo dye for Blue/Green Mong Leng groups.

Women’s apparel often includes:

• A flared pleated skirt (sometimes over 200 pleats) creating a cone shape;
• A split-neck blouse or jacket, usually without buttons, and a decorative apron or belt;
• Silver jewelry—necklaces, bracelets, and headdresses—as symbols of beauty and wealth.

Men’s clothing typically includes long-sleeved tunics or shirts, loose trousers, and turban or scarf-style headwear, sometimes adorned with silver pieces.

Hand-sewn pieces remain highly valued. Even today, vintage hand-stitched clothing can fetch hundreds of dollars, treasured for quality and craftsmanship.

Festivals & Music: Celebrating Roots

Hmong New Year, usually in November–December, marks the end of harvest. It’s a time for families to gather, thank ancestors, and celebrate with food, dance, music, and games.

Key traditions include:

• Men and women playing pov pob, a ball tossing courtship game.
• Displays of traditional dress and silver jewelry, highlighting each family’s craftsmanship and status.
• Hmong musical instruments, such as the khaen (reed pipe), flute, and lusheng (reed mouth organ), played in festivals and social events.

The Lusheng Festival is another major event, typically held in autumn. Teams compete in lusheng music and dance, while festivities may include horse racing and games.

Pahawh Hmong: A Home Grown Writing System

One of the most remarkable chapters in Mong history is the creation of Pahawh Hmong, the first script devised by an illiterate from the Mong community. It was invented between 1959 and 1971 by Shong Lue Yang, a spiritual leader known by many as the Mother of Writing.

His script:

• Was taught to others based on spiritual visions he received from divine beings.
• Uses a semi syllabic system inspired by Lao and missionary scripts, yet organized uniquely to suit Hmong phonology.
• Gave Mong people a powerful tool for identity and preservation—especially during the turbulence of the Laotian Civil War. Sadly, Shong Lue Yang was assassinated in 1971, but his writing system survives and is honored to this day.

In conclusion, no matter what country the Mong live, whether they are in East Asia, Southeast Asia, North America, South America, Australia and Europe, they have made contributions in almost every field in the economy of the country where they live. Despite their semi-traditional life style, the Mong have adjusted amazingly well. Known for their intelligence, adaptability, and love for freedom, the Mong will continue to adjust as a community. Through hard work, determination, and perseverance, the young Mong have successfully acculturate into those countries, will continue to advance to their full potential and will contribute greatly to the advancement of life to each of the country where they live.