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    A Hmong family in Sapa close up

    / Last updated 19 May 2011

    Introduction

    We were privileged to be invited into the house of a Hmong family not far from Sapa in Vietnam's far north just below the Chinese border. This gallery is from that memorable visit.
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • We followed this Black Hmong woman off the road down to a village a few kilometres out of Sapa.
    • A typical Black Hmong village outside of Sapa
    • And a typical simple timber home.
    • This man invited us in to see his home and meet his family. While many of the Black Hmong kids in Sapa are very confident bordering on aggressive at times, the people in the villages are shy but friendly.
    • The mother
    • The family lives totally off the land and are vulnerable to the especially harsh weather the area has encountered in recent years. The father was looking forward to the connection of electricty that was scheduled for late 2009.
    • Grandaughter and grandma. The father told us that while school was now very accessible, it wasn't always possible for his eldest child, this girl, to attend - much to her disappointment. She was totally uncommunicative during our visit. School access for Hmong children has improved markedly during the past decade.

    • Working with hemp, the women create the distinctive Hmong costume. Three generations were busily occupied at various stages of the process during our visit. Grandma is there in the background.


    • The worship table - the Hmong practice animism and this part of the home has been set aside for worship.
    • Relatives out the back work away readying hemp to be used making the distinctive Hmong costume.

    • Two daughters. The eldest is working with fabric.


    • Working with hemp.
    • When rice stocks are low, corn is mixed in to bolster the meal.
    • Working with hemp.
    • Hemp in straw form before it is broken down.
    • Working with hemp.
    • This roller is used to crush the hemp.
    • Farewelling the family.
    Quicklink - Introduction - Sapa