Hmong Qeej: An Instrument And Symbol Of Cultural Identity

Chai Lee performs and explains the significance of the Qeej, an instrument widely known as a cultural symbol of Hmong identity.

00:00 Minnesota Originals
00:07 Nuj Nrws Pum Qhuab Tshooj
01:02 Qeej and Hmong funeral ceremonies
01:46 Puj Ntaub
02:05 How Chai Lee came to play the qeej and teaching the next generation of qeej players
03:15 Practicing and learning for the qeej and Hmong funeral ceremonies
03:52 The importance of the Hmong culture to identity
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#Hmong #Qeej #Music #Culture

[its.Andy]

I just lost kuv yawg. He was the only one in my family to be able to play the qeej. I’ve always wanted to learn how to play it but he wasn’t really good at teaching anyone. They played the qeej at the funeral and ua kuv tub shiab heev. Now I’m determined to learn how to play it in the name of honor for him. Mus ua zoo koj yawg. Kuv yuav nco koj heev.

[fengxiong]

To me this instrument is the most Hmong thing

[tooktooknee]

The sound of this instrument brings emotions to the person listening. It has such a unique sound. Its amazing how Qeej guides the deceased to rest in their ancestral home. That's a beautiful meaning how music will guide a soul home. T_T

[zenitzoo]

my grandma on the radio heard about qeej lesions for me so i hope i get to play the Qeej
Also kinda sad that i grew up around and with english (people) so idk how to speak my language :(

[kimscozyreads]

Kept reading about this instrument and had to hear what it sounded like. Something about the droning reminds me of bagpipes... very cool

[mryeyangxiongmang]

Nyob zoo os thov qhia ib qhov tawg qeej peb saib xyaum ua si os

[pazongchang]

Where you guys located? Are you accepting students?

[mattdylla]

I heard it before I saw it. I was baffled that it wasn't a string instrument.

[ISAIAHTheBook]

The Hmong culture is a culture of Death and suffering.

Shamanism leads to Hell. The dead are not wandering, they are burning in an eternal Hellfire for their Sins.

Jesus is the only way, who died and rose again as Gods own sacrifice for Sins. Your Hmong sacrifices will not pay for your Sins.

Trust Jesus as your Saviour today!


John 14:6
King James Version

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Romans 10:9-10

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

[tnkstudio]

Someone need to create notes and teach in music theory it would be much easier to learn how to play the instrument. I'm pretty sure it can be play sad or happy songs and not just at the funeral.

[kurtschneider]

“The qeej was created to kinda keep the dead.. dead” I get what he’s saying but that’s a funny way to put it lol

[ThatsoooOlivia]

When I was 1 I fell in love qeej I’m at the hmong culture center

[txoovzeblor]

Zoo kawg. Rau siab. Yog ib qhov koom tshuab uas peb Hmoob ib ntxws sim lo yog tseem sim. Yog ib qhov koom zoo kawg.

Muaj neeg coob tus li sim lawm.

[dracoxiong]

i wanna know how to play the hmong qeej

[imaramblins]

I'm a white boy married to Hmong girl....

I've been exposed to SO much... Love the sounds like "gang"

Nevertheless. I want to make sure Hmong cultures understand what's gong on....