Interview
Of a Hmong
Storyteller
The
following is an interview of Waher Vang by his daughter, Chianeng Thao:
(Waher Vang was born on June 6, 1954 in Xieng Khouang, Laos.
He is a Shaman, or medicine man. He came to the United States in
1987 as a result of the secret war waging in Laos. Vang is married to Nor
Moua and they have ten children. They currently reside in Sacramento
California.)
Waher Vang and Nor Moua Vang
Chianeng What is a Folktale?
Waher Folktales are stories about a
culture’s beliefs and values.
Chianeng What is the purpose or
moral values of Folktales?
Waher Folktales are told to teach children
and others about moral
values and how to behave. In the old days, we didn't
go to
school. We taught our children to respect and accept
others
by the morals in these folktales. They teach great
moral lessons
about the culture and how the people live.
Chianeng When and by whom are the folktales
told?
Waher Folktales are told only after
dinner by parents or
grandparents. At this time, everybody including children
will sit around the fire place and listen to stories.
Chianeng How have the tales changed
since moving to American?
Waher Here in America, not many folktales
are told anymore
because our children have many things to do like
watching tv, doing homework, playing with friends,
and
places to go.
Chianeng Are these Folktales real
or made-up stories?
Waher They are real stories. Just that
they are past orally from
generation to generation and people change some words
and make changes to the story, but they are real.
Chianeng Where do these Folktales come
from?
Waher These Folktales
came from real life situations and
problems.
Chianeng What should we do to keep
these folktales alive?
Waher Tells orally to children and
writing it down in books. But
try to tell the children as much as you can, so they
will
learn and teach it to their children.
Chianeng What do you think of Folktales
now, is it more important to
the older generation or the younger generation?
Waher Of course, it is important to
the older generation, but it is
more important to teach the younger generation, so
they
can keep our culture alive and past on to their children.
Chianeng Thao