The Mong oral tradition: cultural memory in the absence of written language

"Explores lives of 13 Mong elders, oral tradition and cultural practices. Discusses Mong rituals, tribal customs, religious beliefs and educational experiences, lifestyle elders maintained in mountains of Laos. They describe childhood, communities, religious rituals and cultural traditions, ongoing struggle adjusting to their new homeland. Delves into Mong perceptions of industrialization and the generational conflict in a literate society"--Provided by publisher

Foreword by Lourdes Arguelles -- Oral culture and multicultural education -- Living the vision of oral culture in modern society -- Oral culture and written culture together in one society -- The Mong oral tradition and cultural practices -- Theories of Mong origin -- Mong oral cultural tradition -- Mong oral culture practices -- Farming -- Parenting -- Rituals and customary traditional values -- Mong society and sociocultural settings -- The Mong kinship system -- Cultural identity -- The environment -- Social gatherings -- Oral tradition as a source of knowledge -- Traditional stories -- Songs -- Sacred chanting songs -- Funeral and wedding songs -- Soul calling songs -- Ritualistic secret language chanting songs -- American education and the transformation of the Mong community -- The loss of the oral tradition custom's values -- Language and culture loss -- Religious conflict.

The stories of Mong elders -- Elder Boua Tong Yang -- Elder Lee Xiong -- Elder Nhia Cha Yang -- Elder Jer Thao -- Elder Xai Dang Moua -- Elder Phoua Her -- Elder Chong Yer Thao -- Elder Mai Vang -- Elder Cha Shoua Hang -- Elder Chai Xiong -- Elder Tong Yao Her -- Elder Ying Yang -- Elder Xao Cheng Lee -…