The Hmong are a people group primarily residing in the mountainous regions of Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. Originally from China, they migrated to Southeast Asia during the 19th century due to ethnic persecution from the Chinese government. Despite being a minority group, they hold a significant place in the region's history and culture. In recent years, the Hmong have gained recognition for their unique traditions, including their vibrant clothing, music, and festivals.
The culture of the Hmong people is deeply tied up in the belief in animism, which makes it challenging to spread the gospel among them. Animism is a belief system that involves a spirit world of interconnectedness of all living things. Additionally, the Hmong people rely on the spirits of their ancestors to guide them, which creates a significant obstacle for them to accept the Christian faith. The Christian faith often creates division among families, friends, and communities, and so the good news must be shared in a culturally sensitive way.
There are 2.7 million Hmong in China, 1.4 million in Vietnam, 600,000 in Laos, and 300,000 in the USA. Over the past few decades, many Hmong living in Vietnam have come to the Christian faith through FEBC (Far East Broadcasting Company) radio programs broadcasting from the Philippines. It's worth noting that most Christians in Southeast Asia are among minority groups like the Hmong rather than the majority Buddhist population. Read More.