Human Studies Film Archives

Guide to Threads of Survival, 1991

Summary

Collection ID:
HSFA.1993.21
Creators:
Vander, Kathryn
Dates:
1991
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
Film reels
25 minutes
color sound
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
Edited film documents the Hmong immigrants to the United States in their struggles to maintain the culture and traditions from their native Laos. Weaving and sewing of elaborate clothing and storycloths are depicted as the main vehicle for cultural transmission. Large tapestries on which pictures are stitched are used to tell a story. Attire such as belts, dresses and jackets become particularly important during the New Year Festival. Featured in a New Year celebration are the extensive preparations in making the finest clothes for the celebration, the ball game during the celebration which serves as a courtship ceremony for the unmarried youths, and a dancing festival. Various Hmong people interviewed also explain the importance of being dressed in one's finest clothing for burial as to please the ancestors of the deceased and to insure their generosity in the next life. Despite the many religious and ceremonial roles ornate weaving plays, many Hmong women interviewed identified the storycloths to be the most important use of sewing and weaving for their historical and sentimental values in helping later generations remember and understand the Hmong culture that existed in Laos. Storycloths also depict the treacherous journey of the Hmong refugees to Thailand during the Vietnam War.
John Prusak, Director of Photography ; Paul Locricchio, Sound Recordist ; Doreen Matthews, Editor
Legacy Keywords: Dress makers Laos United States ; Clothing fashions industry, special styles Laos United States ; Sewing Laos United States ; Weaving Laos United States ; Looms hand Laos United States ; Festivals for New Years Laos United States ; Adornment Laos United States ; Design and patterns in decorative art Laos United States ; Decorations Laos United States ; Courtship Laos United States ; Assimilation Laos United States ; Death and rebirth in initiation ceremonies posessions after Laos United States ; Ancestor worship of Laos United States ; War economic adjustments to refugees Laos United States ; Refugees war Laos United States ; Story tellers Laos United States ; Myths texts of Laos United StatesDress makers Laos United States ; Clothing fashions industry, special styles Laos United States ; Sewing Laos United States ; Weaving Laos United States ; Looms hand Laos United States ; Festivals for New Years Laos United States ; Adornment Laos United States ; Design and patterns in decorative art Laos United States ; Decorations Laos United States ; Courtship Laos United States ; Assimilation Laos United States ; Death and rebirth in initiation ceremonies posessions after Laos United States ; Ancestor worship of Laos United States ; War economic adjustments to refugees Laos United States ; Refugees war Laos United States ; Story tellers Laos United States ; Myths texts of Laos United States
Please note that the contents of the collection and the language and terminology used reflect the context and culture of the time of its creation. As an historical document, its contents may be at odds with contemporary views and terminology and considered offensive today. The information within this collection does not reflect the views of the Smithsonian Institution or Anthropology Archives, but is available in its original form to facilitate research.

Administration

Immediate Source of Acquisition
Received from Kathryn Vander in 1993.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Use
Contact the repository for terms of use.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research. Please contact the archives for information on availability of access copies of audiovisual recordings. Original audiovisual material in the Human Studies Film Archives may not be played.
Preferred Citation
Threads of Survival
, Human Studies Film Archives, Smithsonian Institution

More Information

Local Number

Local Number
HSFA 1993.21.1


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
North America Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Southeast Asia Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
United States Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Laos Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Thailand Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Hmong (Asian people) Cultural Context Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Weaving Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Sound films Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Human Studies Film Archives
Museum Support Center
4210 Silver Hill Road
Suitland 20746
hsfa@si.edu