WELCOMING RITUAL/CULTURAL ENERGIZER (Day 1) 

• Play: Hmong Chronicles: Fresh Traditions with Youa Chang and Tou SaiKo "Kws txhaj" (4:42 minutes) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1PhcZh3BDE. This is a unique, live performance mixing spoken word by Tou Saiko Lee, and traditional music sung by his grandma, Youa Chang.
• Ask: What do you notice about the two performers? What kind of performance do you observe?
  • Possible answers: 
    • One is young, one is old
    • One is rapping/spoken words, one is singing a song
    • Mixing of generation
    • Mixing of cultures
• (Optional) Meet Tou Saiko Lee 
  • Get to know Tou Saiko Lee by watching TedxMinneapolis Talk “Reclaiming Cultural Identity and Language through Hip Hop” https://tedxminneapolis.com/tou-saik-lee (15 minutes). 

INTERACTION WITH FIRST SOURCE 

• Say: Kwv Txhiaj, or Hmong Song Poetry, is the art form that perhaps best captures the zeitgeist of Hmong culture. 
  • Teacher Background on Kwv Txhiaj: (provided by University of Wisconsin-Madison Students in African, 167): “Kwv Txhiaj, or Hmong Song Poetry, is the art form that perhaps best captures the zeitgeist of Hmong culture. Sung in such a way as to echo the instantly-recognizable tones of the qeej (or perhaps the qeej echos the kwv txhiaj), these compositions have been used to pass down history and culture. Often melancholy, they speak of longing: for loved ones who’ve passed away, for a lost homeland, or for a family that life has forced you to leave behind. Linguistically, these songs are incredibly rich, using the most advanced expressions, metaphors, and descriptions that the language offers. As such, kwv txhiaj can be difficult to understand, especially for the uninitiated. However, the payoff is extraordinary; kwv txhiaj capture emotion in a unique way, acting as a catharsis not just for an author or singer, but for a people. They are songs of mourning, yes, but they are also monuments to the resilience of Hmong around the globe, exquisitely beautiful even as they are impossibly sad.” 
• Show students a few examples of Kwv Txhiaj (Hmong Song Poetry). The following links can be made available to students and have them choose one to watch:
  • Kwv Txhiaj poetry sung by artist Mao Thao around water (7:45 minutes)Kwv Txhiaj Sib Tuav Tes Mus Saib Dej Tsaws Tsag https://hmongmuseummn.org/collection/we-are-water/kwv-txhiaj/ (English Translation of Lyrics available on Hmong Museum) 
  • Poetry about courting a mate to marry and have a family (9:53 minutes)Pob Tsuas Lis Kwv Txhiaj Plees https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39pGLXfjjG4&t=15s
  • Poetry about leaving Laos and moving to new land (5:04 minutes)Kwv Txhiaj Poob Teb Chaws https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKR-4zLO4Tc&t=38s
  • Have students turn to a peer to share which video they watched and their takeaways.

SHARED LEARNING

1. Go over some Kwv Txhiaj Hmong Poetry Spoken Words. The following are common opening phrases of a Hmong chant that teachers can share with students. Any Hmong Kwv Txhiaj will start with one of these phrases:

• “Nee Yai” (Hmong from Xiengkhuang)
• “Yaw Xyong Naw” (Green Dialect Hmong Lao)
• “Ua Cas” (Lus Taum Style)

2. Go over types of themes for “Kwv Txhiaj” Poetry

• Courting - About courting a mate for marriage 
  • kwv txhiaj plees 
• Orphan - About Orphan experiences  
  • kwv txhiaj ntsuag 
• Immigration - About leaving land to new land 
  • kwv txhiaj tsiv teb tsaws chaw 
• Leaving - About leaving loved one(s) or home behind 
  • kwv txhiaj sib ncaim 
• Mourning - For mourning the death of a loved one 
  • kwv txhiaj tuag 
• Bride’s - About a new wife’s marriage story into the husband's family 
  • kwv txhiaj ua nyab 
• New Years - To honor Hmong New Years  
  • kwv txhiaj noj tsiab peb caug 
• Wedding - To honor traditional Wedding  
  • kwv txhiaj tshoob (kab tshoob kev kos)
• Celebration - Support an achievement in celebration (graduation,  etc.)
  • kwv txhiaj txhawb nqa

3. Components of “Kwv Txhiaj” Hmong Poetry Singing

• Choose a Theme 
• Choose Chant Regional & Melodic Style - lub suab seev 
• Choose Proverb - lus paj lug 
• Create Rhymes to words from proverb - cov lus sib dhos 
• Create Lines with Meaning (positive or negative?) - lub ntsiab lus 
• Create Stanzas (3–6) - cov txwm – ib zaj kwv txhiaj muaj 3 txwm, qhov tsawg, ntau yog 5–6 txwm 
• Create Ending Line Advice to Close stanzas - lo lus xaus 

COMMUNITY COLLABORATION (Day 2)

• Say: A paj lug, best translated as a proverb or an idiom, is a form of Hmong expressions that uses metaphors and symbolism to express wisdom. 
• Teacher Background on Paj Lug: (provided by University of Wisconsin-Madison Students in African, 167): “A paj lug, best translated as a proverb or an idiom, is a form of Hmong expression that uses metaphors and symbolism to express wisdom. While these phrases can be difficult to understand, especially without the help of a native Hmong speaker, they are nevertheless an extremely rich resource for someone hoping to hone their language skills. First, the rich language of a paj lug offers an extended vocabulary, particularly in regard to traditional language that might otherwise fall outside of the vernacular. Secondly, the use of metaphors offers an exciting challenge to those looking to increase their comprehension skills through the multiple layers of interpretation can be challenging even for those fluent in the language! Lastly, each paj lug is deeply related to the cultural context of Hmong life. Thus, they represent a window into Hmong culture, teaching necessary background about Hmong values, traditions, and practices even as they help to improve language skills.”
• Teacher to go over a few Hmong proverb examples:
  1. Example 1
     • Ua ruam thiaj txawj zov tsev, tsab ntse thiaj tau ua qhev.
     • Act unintelligent, to have more time to develop your own home, 
     • Act smart, to work like slaves with various places to roam.
  2. Example 2 
     • Suab neeg nrov dua suab xob, lus phem ntsim dua kua txob. 
     • People’s voices are louder than thunderstorming, 
     • hurtful words are spicier than hot peppers scorching. 
  3. Example 3 
     1. Tsis noj ces yuav tshaib plab, tsis yuav kwv yuav tij ces yuav poob dab. 
     2. If you don’t eat, you’ll be hungry for food, 
     3. if you reject family, ancestors will lose you,
  4. Example 4 
     • Ua qoob yeej muaj nroj, ua neeg nyob yeej khiav tsis dim txoj kev ploj.
     • Growing crops, will always have weeds to take, 
     • In this life you can’t escape making mistakes.
  5. Example 5 
     • Kaum leej tsom, tsis cuag yus qhov muag pom.
     • Even though ten people have witnessed to agree,
     • To truly believe, you need your own eyes to see.
• We can learn more of a Hmong worldview through Hmong proverbs.
  1. Example 1 
     • Suab neeg nrov dua suab xob, lus phem ntsim dua kua txob.
     • People’s voices are louder than thunderstorming, 
     • hurtful words are spicier than hot peppers scorching. 
  2. Example 2 
     • Spicy peppers of Hmong meals can reference emotional pain.
     • Tsis noj ces yuav tshaib plab, tsis yuav kwv yuav tij ces yuav poob dab. 
     • If you don’t eat, you’ll be hungry for food, 
     • if you reject family, ancestors will lose you,
  3. Example 3 
     • Hmong believe in Ancestors and souls in the spirit world. 
     • Shamanism with nuance that some Hmong have converted to other religions.
     • Ua qoob yeej muaj nroj, ua neeg nyob yeej khiav tsis dim txoj kev ploj.
     • Growing crops, will always have weeds to take, 
     • In this life you can’t escape making mistakes.

CULTURAL PRODUCTION

I DO (Teacher Model)

• Teachers walk students through how to create their own kwv txhiaj using the two examples provided below.
• In each of the examples, have teachers and students practice identifying (highlight/or label) the components of “Kwv Txhiaj” Hmong poetry singing (theme, chant regional/melodic style, proverb, rhymes, lines with meaning, stanzas, ending line).
  • Creating your own Kwv Txhiaj Stanza (Example 1)
  • (1* Theme - Wedding)
  • (2* Chant - Ni Yai)
  • (3* Proverb)
    • Act unintelligent, to have more time to develop your own home, 
    • Act smart, to work as slaves with various places to roam.
  • (4* Rhyme line with proverb)
    • in your new life as one, don’t give more attention to phones,
  • (5* Meaning Line) “Being home, spending time together.”
    • Wish you many vacations and healthy gardens homegrown.
    • They will spend time together away and at home with the garden.
  • (6* 1 Stanza - For practice.)
  • (7* Ending Line - Advice)
    • Remember Family bonds are tight like Hmong tapestry sewn.
  • Example 1 Stanza
    • Ni Yai, 
    • in your new life as one, don’t give more attention to phones,
    • Act unintelligent, to have more time to develop your own home, 
    • Act smart, to work like slaves with various places to roam.
    • Wish you many vacations and healthy gardens homegrown.
    • Remember Family bonds are tight like Hmong tapestry sewn.
  • Creating your own Kwv Txhiaj Stanza (Example 2)
    • (1* Theme - Celebrate Graduation)
    • (2* Chant - Yall Xyong Naw)
    • (3* Proverb)
      • Growing crops, will always have weeds to take, 
      • In this life you can’t escape making mistakes.
    • (4* Rhyme lines with proverb)
      • We honor your hard work for years to graduate,
    • (5* Meaning) “Growing crops”
      • You can plant new seeds of success along lakes.
      • They can now go out to accomplish more after graduation.
    • (6* 1 Stanza - For practice)
    • (7* Ending Line - Advice)
      • Honor your parents, don’t forget to take breaks.
  • Example 2 Stanza
    • Yaw Xyong Naw,
    • We honor your hard work for years to graduate,
    • Growing crops, will always have weeds to take, 
    • In this life you can’t escape making mistakes.
    • You can plant new seeds of success along lakes.
    • Honor your parents, don’t forget to take breaks.
  • YOU DO (Students Try)
    • Student Task: Create your own Kwv Txhiaj Activity: Have students try the activity on their own. Provide this template for students or have them type this format on their own document.
    • (1* Choose a Theme - ???)
    • (2* Choose a Chant - ???)
    • (3* Choose a Proverb - ???)
    • (4* Type Rhyme line with proverb)
    • (5* Type Line with meaning that rhymes) 
    • (6* 1 Stanza - For practice.)
    • (7* Type Ending Line - Advice that rhymes)

CONCLUSIVE DIALOGUE (Assessment and Evaluation)

• Say: The process of oral traditions comes with “Practice with Repetition and Recording.” Provide students with ample time to practice and rehearse.
  • Begin practice and rehearsal - two lines at a time without looking
  • Move on the the next two lines
  • Try to memorize the entire stanza
  • Try to sing the lines
• As a class, practice with the following sample kwv txhiaj:
  • Yaw Xyong Naw,
  • We honor your hard work for years to graduate,
  • Growing crops, will always have weeds to take, 
  • In this life you can’t escape making mistakes.
  • You can plant new seeds of success along lakes.
  • Honor your parents, don’t forget to take breaks.
• As a final assessment, have students present their Hmong Poetry song using the following components:
  • Introduce your Kwv Txhiaj
  • Title
  • Theme
  • Project your voice
  • Add cadence
  • Present in a circle if possible
  • Present a few times until smooth
• Presentations can take the form of: group presentations, whole class presentations, lines of communication, and/or video presentations. 
  • Grading can be based on the following criteria: effort, completion, voice projection, eye contact, key components of Hmong Poetry song.
  • Allow students to have notecards to support their presentations.
• Allow the opportunity for students to ask presenters questions regarding their choice in theme/words and areas they enjoyed about their presentations.