Hmong Funerals
From Wisconsin Public Radio
| 00:07:49
Producers: Brian Bull
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Review of Hmong FuneralsAn interesting look into the Hmong funeral tradition. The sound mix is rich, and the piece well produced in the tradition of NPR & Wild Kingdom: reporter stands by, much like Rod Serling, and conducts the of sounds that play in this rich informative piece. |
Broadcast History
This is part of the PRX Reversioning Project. The original feature this is based off of aired on Weekend All Things Considered on August 1st, 1999. This reworking adds the closing drumbeats of the funeral which was edited out before broadcast, and begins with the intial preparations at the top.
Transcript
PRX REVERSIONING PROJECT
HMONG FUNERALS
BRIAN BULL, WPR
Lead :30
Since the late 1970s, thousands of Hmong ["mahng"] immigrants from southeast Asia have settled into the U-S. The conflict between assimilating into the American culture while keeping traditions has Hmong elders particularly concerned, as they watch their grandchildren skateboard across town, listening to I-Pods and eating Big Macs. This concern even extends towards the afterlife, as many older clan members want a traditional Hmong funeral. As Wisconsin Public Radio?s Brian Bull reports, it?s a demanding ritual:
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[FADE UP GENERAL BANTER OF RELATIVES SLOWLY UNDER OPENING -- HOLD]
Inside the Hmong Funeral home in St. Paul, Minnesota a shaman sings over the body of Ying Xiong. [FADE UP FAST ON SHAMAN SINGING ? HOLD FOR 2-4 BEATS, BRING UNDER REST OF TRAK] S...
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Timing and Cues
Lead :30
Since the late 1970s, thousands of Hmong ["mahng"] immigrants from southeast Asia have settled into the U-S. The conflict between assimilating into the American culture while keeping traditions has Hmong elders particularly concerned, as they watch their grandchildren skateboard across town, listening to I-Pods and eating Big Macs. This concern even extends towards the afterlife, as many older clan members want a traditional Hmong funeral. As Wisconsin Public Radio?s Brian Bull reports, it?s a demanding ritual:
Content Advisory
Some mention of animal sacrifice for the funeral services.
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Additional Information
- Produced: Apr 13, 2006
- Added to PRX: Apr 13, 2006
- This piece is in English
Aaron Henkin
Posted on August 24, 2006 at 09:32 AM | Permalink
Review of Hmong Funerals
This piece takes us inside one of an immigrant community's most intimate religious rituals, and Wisconsin Public Radio's Brian Bull has my full respect and admiration for his ability to succeed in an obviously awkward social situation as a cultural reporter. Bull does a remarkable job of developing a respectful rapport with his interviewees and gets them to speak candidly about very personal spiritual matters.
Hard to believe it, but this was Bull's first feature ever. I've corresponded with him about his experiences putting this story together --- he says he was really inspired by the feeling of camaraderie and community at the Hmong funeral, and that he walked away from the experience thinking that the way we observe death says a lot about our larger values as a culture.