Paj Ntaub: Texitile Techniques Of The Hmong

Overview

Hmong textile art, Paj ntaub or "flower cloth," consists of textile arts traditionally practiced by Hmong people. The embroidery consists of bold geometric designs often realized in bright, contrasting colors. Different patterns and techniques of production are associated with geographical regions and cultural subdivisions within the global Hmong community. This documentary interweaves the Paj ntaub art form with the history of the Hmong in Southeast Asia and the devastation brought by the secret war on Laos. Through interviews with women from the Hmong community in Rhode Island, we get an insight into the art form of paj ntaub and the experiences of the Hmong community in the United States.