This Story Cloth vividly depicts the violence endured by Hmong people at the hands of Pathet Lao soldiers. Through detailed imagery and vibrant colors, it narrates the harrowing experiences of Hmong people during the Secret War, reflecting a history of persecution, resistance, and resilience. This piece serves as a poignant reminder of the Secret War’s legacy on Southeast Asian colonial history, Hmong collective memory, global migration, and identity formation.
Violence at the hands of Pathet Lao soldiers.
While fleeing Laos, Hmong families carried only the bare essentials for survival in the jungle—often just a basket of rice and a cooking pot. Their only path to safety lay across the Mekong River, the natural border between Laos and Thailand. Crossing under the cover of darkness made the journey even more perilous. Thousands, including entire families, drowned or were shot mid-crossing. Those who lost loved ones came to remember the Mekong as "The River of Death."
Makeshift bamboo raft.
This Story Cloth illustrates the construction of makeshift bamboo rafts, a crucial survival strategy for those attempting to cross the river. The arrival of Hmong refugees at Ban Vinai Refugee Camp in Thailand marked the loss of their homeland and the beginning of a search for acceptance and belonging in new lands—from Australia to Europe, South America, Canada, and the United States.
Stitched and embroidered by Tong Mee Xiong. Collection of the Hmoob Cultural and Community Agency, gift of Jan Folsom.
