Traditional Hmong Funeral - Nyaj Tshaav Ntuj

Traditional Hmong Funeral - Nyaj Tshaav Ntuj (Sunshine Money)

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As a Hmong-American who juggled two cultures and lacked Hmong language proficiency, I struggled tremendously when it came to fulfilling traditional roles at Hmong funerals. I used to dread attending funerals mainly because I wanted to avoid my responsibilities and embarrassment. But as I learned more about the culture and improved my Hmong language proficiency, I began to understand the process and its significance. I also began feeling more comfortable and appreciative that such practice exist to display gratitude and respect for one another. I hope this video helps provide you all with some guidance and understanding of what happens during the process of giving sunshine money. Below is the written script of what I share in this video:

Ua tsaug nawb mog
Peb tsev xyom cuab
Tsev pluj tsev tuag
Tsev puag tsev nroog
Koj tsi ca le
Koj tsuas xaav neej xaav tsaav
Xaav ntsuab xaav zev
Koj tseem toom txheej toom lis
Nyaj txag nto tuaj paab peb tsev xyom cuab
Tam kev neej kev tsaav
Lwm nub peb tsev xyom cuab txawj ua lub neej ces
Peb yuav ncu koj tug txaj tug ntsis
Peb tsi txawj ua neej ces
Cuag le yuav muab koj tug txaj tug ntsig
Moog ntsum zoov ntsum tsuag
Ua naag tshauv naag tsha yaaj

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