(H)Mong, Hmong, Mong

Throughout the site, you may notice that we switch between three spellings of "(H)Mong", "Hmong" and "Mong".

The (H)mong, as a people, have one heritage and at hiimfxu, we strive to explore it layer by layer and look forward to our findings. Traditionally, it has always been widely known that specific traditions are practiced and identified with each dialect. An example of this would be the (H)Mong traditional clothing. However, today in the USA, some of the lines have blurred as the community lives together as one. By no means are the spellings meant to silo the community. It is used to be inclusive and to better understand the community as a whole.

"(H)Mong"* is used to represent the entire community regardless of dialect.

"Hmong" refers to the White Hmong, which is the dominant dialect in the USA. It is spoken by about 60% of the (H)Mong in the USA. You will find that Hmong is the most commonly used and accepted spelling to identify the community as a whole.

"Mong" refers to the Mong Leng or commonly known as the Green Mong dialect. It is spoken by about 40% of the (H)Mong in the USA. This is our dialect at hiimfxu.

At hiimfxu, we use the three spellings to show the custom(s) of which (H)Mong dialect our products are directly inspired from. For example, batik and indigo are specific to the Mong Leng dialect.

* As used by ethnologist Jacques Lemoine, Ph.D.