The Mong oral tradition : cultural memory in the absence of written language

著者

書誌事項

The Mong oral tradition : cultural memory in the absence of written language

Yer J. Thao ; foreword by Lourdes Arguelles ; afterword by Marianne Pennekamp

McFarland, c2006

  • : soft

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注記

Bibliography: p. 187-192

Includes index

内容説明・目次

内容説明

In 1975, after years of struggle, Communists seized control of the government of Laos. Members of the Mong culture who had helped the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency in their quest to halt the spread of Communism were forced to move to America as political refugees. The Mong, with their strong culture of oral traditions and beliefs, were plunged into a multicultural society where the written word was prevalent. As a result, their oral customs are now being slowly eroded and replaced with a written tradition. Desperate to hold on to their cultural identity and continue the traditions of their ancestors, the Mong still struggle with the dilemma this change in literary perception has caused. Compiled from numerous interviews, this volume explores the lives of 13 Mong elders. With emphasis on their unique oral tradition and cultural practices, the book discusses Mong rituals, tribal customs, religious beliefs and educational experiences. The main focus of the work, however, is the lifestyle the elders maintained while living in the mountains of Laos. In their own words, they describe their childhood, communities, religious rituals and cultural traditions as well as the ongoing struggle of adjustment to their new homeland. The work also delves into the Mong perceptions of industrialization and the generational conflict that immersion into a literate society has caused. The author himself is a member of the Mong culture and brings a personal perspective to preserving the oral traditions of this unique ethnicity. The work is also indexed.

目次

Table of Contents Acknowledgments      Foreword by Lourdes Arguelles      Preface      1. Oral Culture and Multicultural Education      Living the Vision of Oral Culture in Modern Society      Oral Culture and Written Culture Together in One Society      Summary      2. The Mong Oral Tradition and Cultural Practices      Theories of Mong Origin      Mong Oral Cultural Tradition      Mong Oral Culture Practices      Farming      Parenting      Rituals and Customary Traditional Values      Summary      3. Mong Society and Sociocultural Settings      The Mong Kinship System      Cultural Identity      The Environment      Social Gatherings      Summary      4. Oral Tradition as a Source of Knowledge      Traditional Stories      Songs      Sacred Chanting Songs      Funeral and Wedding Songs      Soul Calling Songs      Ritualistic Secret Language Chanting Songs      Summary      5. American Education and the Transformation of the Mong Community      The Loss of the Oral Tradition Custom’s Values      Language and Culture Loss      Religious Conflict      Summary      6. The Stories of Mong Elders      Elder Boua Tong Yang      Elder Lee Xiong      Elder Nhia Cha Yang      Elder Jer Thao      Elder Xai Dang Moua      Elder Phoua Her      Elder Chong Yer Thao      Elder Mai Vang      Elder Cha Shoua Hang      Elder Chai Xiong      Elder Tong Yao Her      Elder Ying Yang      Elder Xao Cheng Lee      7. Keeping Oral Culture Alive Through the Mong Elders      Mong Oral Tradition and Culture Elements      Understanding the Interconnectedness of Mong Oral Culture      Summary      Afterword by Marianne Pennekamp      Bibliography      Index     

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