Traditional & Modern Hmong Shaman
In the Hmong culture, the traditional Hmong shaman lineage is called, "Neeb Txwv Zeej, Txwv Txoob." This type of lineage is ancestral, meaning it is passed down in the family bloodline. Some say the lineage is passed down every other generation, and others say a shaman is chosen at random, as long as they have the heart. You'll notice that Hmong shamans were a color veil over their head, covering their face. They wear this for many reasons, but the most common reason is to hide their identity in the spirit world and the other is to help them focus while in a trance. Shamans that are "Neeb Txwv Zeej, Txwv Txoob" wear a black veil, like me. In my family, my great-grandfather, Suav Tub Lis, was a shaman. My grandpa, Vaj Tsheej Lis, was his assistant. I also have ancestral lineages from my mom's family as well, although most shamanic inheritance is from the father's side.
Traditional shaman lineage wear a black or a red veil. Many people confused why there are black veils and red veils, and these two types are often compared. You see, red veils are what we call "neeb xob" (translates to shamanic thunder). Neeb xob are also Neeb Txwv Zeej, Txwv Txoob (ancestral and traditional shaman lineage). An important difference is that Hmong shamans with neeb xob lineage:
wear a red veil
is a direct descendant of a once powerful Hmong shaman (according to folklore)
have the right to use a special khawv koob / ancestral magic spell, consisting of utilizing human breast milk
Folklore tells a story of a Hmong mother and a young baby. As hell unleashed their monsters, an unholy beast came running after the woman and her baby. The mother, still breastfeeding her baby, ran up a mountain and came across a wise, old, and mystical sage called Yawm Saub. She pleaded, asking the sage to protect her baby. The mystical sage then conjured upon Yawm Xob (God of Thunder) to strike and kill the beast. As a thunder bolt came striking down, it hit the beast, but in the process killed the mother. At the end, the baby infant grew up and was said to be one of the most powerful and well-known Hmong shamans. As a result of the thunder bolt, he grew up with red hair and could conjure the essence of thunder. It is believed that Hmong shamans that wear a red veil are direct descendants of this shaman. The red veil is symbolic to identify their thunder-like lineage.
Another less common and less known lineage of traditional Hmong shaman is called Neeb Leeb Nkaub. This lineage is still considered Neeb Txwv Zeej, Txwv Txoob (ancestral) as well. Not much is known of this lineage except for its unique style of rythmetic chanting. The term "leeb nkaub" is translated to "parot." In healing rituals (ua neeb), some Hmong shamans (including myself) often say the term "ua lis o leeb nkaub aws." We say this as our shaman guides reveal important messages or meanings to us. I do not know the unique reason to why this lineage is called "neeb leeb nkaub," but I suspect it is because our shamanic guides can fly over and report back important visions or messages.
Over the past few years there has been a big wave of new and modern Hmong shamanism. It is the adaptation of multiple concepts such as Buddhism, Animism, Reiki, and different shamanic practices from cultures like Native Americans, Korea, Japan, China, and more. The term, "neeb tshiab" can be applied to modern shamanism. Neeb tshiab is translated to, "new shaman." This is an umbrella term to describe shamanic practices that are new and not practiced in the traditional sense. This can be clothing style, veil style, shamanic bridges, and the actual healing component and process. Many shamans who identify as neeb tshiab do not sacrifice animals and only use fruits and rocks. Shamans with neeb tshiab may wear all white clothing, incorporate floral prints and flowers on their clothing and altar, incorporate drums instead of traditional gongs, wear different color veils, have different color thread for their shamanic bridge, and their altar may look different from traditional altars.
Neeb zag or neeb zaj is a newer concept, although some will say this lineage has always been a part of the traditional practice. It depends on how you want to identify with it. From my own opinion and understanding, neeb zag/zaj incorporates the dragon spirit as a crucial part of their shamanic practice. To my knowledge, this style has not been practiced before until recently. Shamans with this lineage may wear all white or incorporate different colors.
Neeb Faj Tim Huab Tais Neeb is also a newer concept, although again, some will say this lineage has always been a part of the traditional practice. Although it may be a part of the traditional practice, it was never its own lineage until more recent. In the traditional sense, Faj Tim Huab Tais Neeb was a realm. But according to neeb tshiab, it is its own lineage. I am unfamiliar with its practices and will not spew out misinformation. From what I have seen, Neeb Faj Tum Huab Tais Neeb resonate with the color white, flowers, fruits, and the concept of purity and cleanliness. They do not use animals in their healing.
While specific rituals and beliefs can differ, there are some common elements found in traditional shamanic healing and new/modern. Here is a general overview:
Diagnosis and Spiritual Perception:
Spiritual Insight: Shamans are believed to have a heightened spiritual perception, allowing them to diagnose the root causes of illnesses or issues. This perception often involves communication with spirits, ancestors, or the divine.
Soul Retrieval:
Concept: Many traditional shamanic healing practices involve the belief in the soul and its connection to health. It is believed that certain illnesses result from the loss of a person's soul or spiritual essence.
Procedure: The shaman may perform soul retrieval ceremonies (hu plig)
Energy Balancing:
Clearing Negative Energies: Shamans may use various techniques, such as smudging with herbs, chanting, or cleansing, to clear negative energies and restore balance to an individual's spiritual and physical well-being.
Herbal Medicine:
Plants and Remedies: Shamans use herbal remedies are commonly used to treat physical and spiritual ailments.
Divination:
Seeking Guidance: Shamans may use divination tools, such as bones, stones, or cards, to gain insights into a person's situation and receive guidance from the spiritual realm.
Symbolic Healing Objects:
Amulets and Talismans: Shamans often use specific objects, like charms, amulets, or talismans, believed to hold protective or healing powers. These objects are charged with spiritual energy during rituals.
Ancestral Communication:
Honoring Ancestors: Traditional healing may involve communicating with ancestors to seek guidance, protection, or resolution of familial issues. Ancestral spirits are considered important allies in the healing process.
Ceremonial Tools:
Drumming and Instruments: Shamanic rituals often involve the use of specific instruments to guide and facilitate healing.
Healing & Diagnostic Rituals
Healing (ua neeb kho): Healing ritual
Diagnostic (ua neeb saib): Diagnostic ritual
Traditional Hmong shamanism and modern Hmong shamanism represent two facets of the spiritual practices within the Hmong culture. In as recent as the least fifteen - twenty years, we began to see a dramatic shift in the way Hmong shamanism was being practiced here in America. It's important to note that the specifics of traditional shamanic healing practices can vary widely, and the effectiveness of these practices is often deeply rooted in cultural beliefs.
TFL Hmong Shaman