Dia's Story Cloth: The Hmong People's Journey of Freedom

I gave this text four stars for Dia' portion of the story and the book. However, if possible, I would have given the curator's portion a 1 star as the curator tries to position the Hmong experience as one about immigration towards freedom, neglecting the fact the the Hmong's exodus was political, not ideological.

The book is in great condition. I was given a story cloth many years ago and now I understand the meaning. I would love to contact the author.

It's hard to describe Dia's Story Cloth using the standard categories. It is moving, and tragic. I teach in a school with a high Hmong population, and I have great admiration for their courage. This story has helped me understand their culture more and has deepened my admiration.

Thought provoking: Vietnam era: The legend of horrific violence and their attempted escape from it was skillfully woven within the threads of this story cloth. Amazing talent, humble tools and surroundings have produced a history cloth that would make Picasso hang his head in shame.

A beautiful little book about the Hmong people's struggle for survival in Vietnam and the creative and highly original way they chose to preserve their history and culture.

Love it.

Great book for kids.

... from China over Laos to the refugee camps of Thailand and then to the U.S. of America.Where the Hmong - almost an entire generation had to flee from the consequences of the "Secret War" that took place in Laos - build solid, self-sustaining and heavily working groups of immigrates...Yet in the 1950s the Hmong were forced to take sides in the guerrilla warfare, divided between their loyalty to the Royal Lao government backed by the USA and the Communist Pathet Lao nationalists, supported by Northern Vietnam and the USSR. Thousands of Hmong men and boys were recruited by the CIA for rescue and reconnaissance and other secret guerilla tasks.Then the Pathet Lao invaded their territory while the CIA bombed their villages to leave behind only burned ground. Then, in 1975 the Pathet Lao took over and the Hmong had to flee.A book which masterly describes some poor Hmong's getaway is  Curse of the Pogo Stick: A Dr. Siri Investigation Set in Laos  by Colin Cotterill when our dear Dr Siri is held hostage by a group of Hmong women and children...What I am reviewing here is the book of Dia Cha's Story Cloth, stitched by Chue and Nhia Thao Cha, full of colourful fotos.Masterly - like every Hmong story cloth - it is hand-embroidered. No patterns are used, no measurements an taken. The needlework is done by eye, and comes out perfectly every time.So look at the picture right on the double page in the middle of the book:You will see Hmong People dressed in their traditional black robes coming from China going to Burma and to Laos to arrive in Thailand, partly in Refugee camps. And then getting their visas an enter the Jumbo Jet to be flown to the USA.After the story cloth story there is the history of the Hmong whose name simply means "Free People"...And nothing else they ever have wanted and will ever want to be - Free People!To know more about the Hmongs - apart of the yet mentioned Curse of the Pogo Stick (Dr Siri Paiboun Mystery 5) by Colin Cotterill, I personally own  Folk Stories of the Hmong: Peoples of Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam (World Folklore Series)  and an other book,  Hmong: History of a People  by Keith Quincy (this one I have yet to read :).)Often the outcomes from the sold books - also from those in the bibliography - are given to International Refugee Projects to sustain the Hmong refugees who have lost everything - besides their Loved Ones and Family, too ...

I bought this book before traveling to Laos. A keen enthusiast for world textiles I had come across story cloths from other parts of the world. This book can be appreciated on several levels, as a child's book or adult book for those with an interest in storytelling through stitch. Illustrations include an overall photo of the cloth and details reflecting the author's story. I loved this book but it raises lots of issues, what happened to those left behind in the refuge camps and how to preserve the Humong culture after emigration out of SE Asia. Loved it

... the whole story from China over Laos to the refugee camps of Thailand and then to the U.S. of America. Where the Hmong - almost an entire generation had to flee from the consequences of the "Secret War" that took place in Llaos - build solid, self-sustaining and heavily working groups of immigrates...Yet in the 1950s the Hmong were forced to take sides in the guerrilla warfare, divided between their loyalty to the Royal Lao government backed by the USA and the Communist Pathet Lao nationalists, supported by Northern Vietnam and the USSR. Thousands of Hmong men and boys were recruited by the CIA for rescue and reconnaissance and other secret guerilla tasks.Then the Pathet Lao invaded their territory while the CIA bombed their villages to leave behind only burned ground. Then, in 1975 the Pathet Lao took over and the Hmong had to flee.A book which masterly describes some poor Hmong's getaway is 'Curse of the Pogo Stick' (Dr Siri Paiboun Mystery 5) by Colin Cotterill, in which our dear Dr Siri is held hostage by a group of fugitive Hmong women and children...What I am reviewing here is the book of Dia Cha's Story Cloth, stitched by Chue and Nhia Thao Cha, full of colourful fotos.Masterly - like every Hmong story cloth - it is hand-embroidered. No patterns are used, no measurements are taken. The needlework is done by eye, and comes out perfectly every time. So look at the picture right on the double page in the middle of the book:You will see Hmong People dressed in their traditional black robes coming from China going to Burma and to Laos to arrive in Thailand, partly in Refugee camps. And then getting their visas an enter the Jumbo Jet to be flown to the USA.After the story cloth story there is the history of the Hmong whose name simply means "Free People"...And nothing else they ever have wanted and will ever want to be - Free People!To know more about the Hmongs - apart of the yet mentioned Curse of the Pogo Stick (Dr Siri Paiboun Mystery 5) by Colin Cotterill, I personally own Folk Stories of the Hmong: Peoples of Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam: Peoples of Laos, Thailand and Vietnam (World Folklore Series) and an other book, Hmong: History of a People by Keith Quincy.Often the outcomes from the sold books - also from those in the bibliography - are given to International Refugee Projects to sustain the Hmong refugees who have lost everything - and often their Loved Ones and Family, too .