Hmong in Minnesota
After the Secret War, many Hmong emigrated to the U.S. According to the 1990 U.S. Census, there were 94,439 Hmong people in the U.S. By 2010, this number had almost tripled to 260,073. Minnesota is second only to California as host to the largest Hmong population in the U.S. The Twin Cities is home to the largest Hmong population. In the Twin Cities, there are about 64,422 Hmong as of 2010.1 The last wave of Hmong people arrived as the refugee camps in Thailand closed in 2003.
Being Hmong and American
The acculturation process in America is crucial in understanding Hmong Religiosity and Shamanism. As one group assimilates to the dominant culture, they lose some aspects of their heritage culture. In some cases, minority groups may selectively choose certain aspects of the dominant culture to integrate with their heritage culture. This is important in understanding how assimilation and integration have impacted, changed and sustained aspects of Hmong Shamanism. Hmong Shamanism in America is slightly different from Hmong Shamanism in Thailand and Laos. Because of the new environment, aspects of Hmong Shamanism have changed and will continue to change. This is because the Hmong must change their traditions in order to adapt to their new home.
