Hey everyone. I always thought I was just Hmong Dlub but not too long ago found out t hat that is just what we claimed after we followed the relatives. I'm really hmong lao lai (with the bird) I've been trying to find out which one. Anybody know??? the elders can describe but I have no luck with a visual.

Hmoob Dub is an alternate name for the Thao clan, but in no way does that mean you guys are Black Hmong/Miao. The Thao clan is divided into two groups, the Hua Txhib and Lob Laig group. I gather from what you are saying - you are the from Lob Laig group.

Never seen the bird before but you can check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Birds_of_Laos and see if the bird you're looking for is there or not.

I heard the bird the elders described are a bird with very bright red feathers or so they claimed. The red feathers are used to decorate the one ancestoral shrine or alter. Since there isn't a bird like that, with each new year, they seek a rooster with that kind of color.

Thaoclangurl,

So you're from the same group too huh?

From what I understand, the male lob laig has bright yellow feathers and the female has red feathers... errr... or was it the other way around?

what's hmong lao lai? clan's belief??? burial ritual???

Tsis yog. Hmoob Thoj mas faib ua ob pab pawg - pab Hua Txhib and pab Lob Laig. It has to do with lineage and not with taboos and rituals.

OH okay, but you do know that the differences in CLAn always have something to do with taboos and rituals.

I think the redecoration of the alter is what distinguish lob laig from hua txib.

I get a million descriptions and never a clear picture. But yes we do consider ourselves Hmoob Dlub too. The elders keep telling me I have the wrong one. thanks everyone.

Maybe you can just create one to represent the clan. I've thought of that but I lack creativity.