(Draft 1)
Based of the family legend, we trace our history to Southern China in the 1880's. It is not know when our ancestors migrated to Laos. We know that we have 7 generations in Laos. But a group of "Hmoob Thoj caiv hluav-taws" in China claimed that they are the 9th generation.
In the 19th century, the Hmong in China fought a bloody war with the Han Chinese. The Hmong lost the war and many of its leaders were reported to be persecuted. Our ancestors, 4 brothers known as Nkauj Sua, Pajlaim, Xov Choo and Ntawv, were being chased by the Chinese.. As many Hmong were fleeing China, two brothers, Nkauj Sua and Xov Choo, decided to leave as well. The Hmong began to move southwards, looking for a new mountain for their family. They finally arrived in Laos where they settled.
According to the story told by our elders, our ancestors, Nkauj Sua and Xov Choo, traveled far, crossing the Green river and the Red river. Nkauj Sua managed to cross the rivers but Xov Choo was stranded behind. Nkauj Sua continued the journey, hoping that his brother would catch up later.
One story goes like this. He was very hungry on the way so he traded his daughter for a 3 cakes (3 lub ncuav pias). After eaten the cakes he regained strength to continue his journey. Three days later, he reached a dense forest and met with two other Hmong - a Hmong Vaj and a Xyooj. They then traveled together. They arrived at a dense bamboo forest. They cut down the bamboo, rubbed them together to make fire to warm them. It was cold. They put the "hmoov-pias" in the bamboo and cooked them. Once eaten, they continued their journey.
Nkauj Sua finally arrived at a country called Tiaj Nquab where he decided to wait for his brother Xov Choo. He waited and waited. Many people arrived. But Xov Choo was not among them. One of the new arrival was called Vaj Ncuab.
After a long wait, he left Tiaj Nquab with Vaj Ncuab to continue their journey. On their way, there were fertile lands with green vegetable gardens. They picked the vegetables and cooked them in bamboo. They had no knife thus they could only use their hands to twist the vegetables to pieces (npaws zaub). As they had no salt, they just eat the vegetables unsalted (noj zaub tsuag). Since that very moment, all Hmong never forget their traditional dish of "zaub tsuag" and npaws zaub hau noj.
They continued their journey and passed through a country known as Tiaj Mos Hlub. Finally they arrived at Looj Hej Choj Xyoob. Nkauj Sua waited for his brother. Once again, he traded his second daughter for 3 handful of hmoov pias. He left there soon after. He continued his journey. He traveled and traveled until he reached a big lake. He heard that there was a virgin forest with fertile land and known as Looj Hej.
He decided to settle in Long Hej.
NKAUJ SUA FAMILY.
It is sad that we know nothing about the life of Nkauj Sua. All we know is that he had three sons but it was not known if he had any daughters. The first son was called Ntxoov Xab (who was Xaiv Kaub's father), the second son was called Tshuas Pov (or Pov Muas) and the third son was Fav Kawm (who is the grandfather of Kim in USA).
NKAUJ SUA NTXOOV XAB XAIVKAUB TSHAUS ( Ntxoov Vaj Ntxuab Lauj -Thav Thaub) TSUAS POV FOOM NTSUAB FAV KAWM NTSUAB YIAS TXOOV KIM (USA) MAIV NTXHAWM PAJ KAUB YAJ TSHOBFig 1 : Nkauj Sua's family
Ntxoov Xab had 2 children only. One son called Kaub (Xaiv Kaub - Saykao) and a daughter called Tshaus who married Ntxoov Vaj Loj in Thav Thaub. Tshaus had 2 sons and one daughter but their names are not known.
Tshuas Pov, Nkauj Sua's second son, had one son, Foom and now only had one living daughter Ntshuab.
Fav Kawm, the third son, had 2 sons, Ntshuab Yias and Paj Kaub. Ntsuab Yias had 3 children called Txoov ( does not know where about), Kim who is living in the USA and Maiv Ntxhawm. Fav Kawm's second son is called Pajkaub and this one had two sons, Yaj who was murdered in Ban Vinai recently and Tshob who was shot dead near Nonghet.
According to a group of "Hmoob Thoj caiv hluav-taws" in China, they are at least 9th generation. They claimed that one of the brother who left China was called Npliaj Sua (Blia Sua). We don't know if Blia Sua and Nkauj Sua is the same person or they are father and son.
But one thing is certain. On the Xaiv Kaub (Saykao) family, we can trace our root to Nkauj Sua. But we are not sure whether Nkauj Sua but as stated earlier, we have no information about his life in Laos.
THE SAYKAO - ( XAIVKAUB) FAMILY
Among all the Hmong Thao "caiv hluav-taws" in Laos, the Xaivkaub family appears to be the most visible. This could be related to the determination of our great grandfather Xaivkaub.
According to Grandma Nyiajlwm, Xaivkaub was an orphan at the early age. As a boy he was very poor, his clothes was torn everywhere. People were making fun of him and called "Kaub khaub hlab". He was seen around the locality with his queej as he was a clever young man and had become an excellent queej-players. Through his queej, he was attracted to many girls.
No one understood how he did it but he won the heart of Mab Loj, the daughter of Faiv Hlwb Loj, the warlord in the region. It must be his destiny. An orphan married a rich girl ! It was like a fairy tale but it was the true story.
The marriage was a giant step in his life.
Beeing a poor young man, he was unable to pay for his bride price. He was badly treated by his father-in-law during the early period of his marriage. His father-in-law told him, "To be like me, Kaub khaub hlab would have to look at the blue sky. Each time, Kaub khaub hlab eat my food, he would have diarrhea for days...". These words pierced Saykao's heart. This drives him to work very hard regardless of the price he had to pay. His determination soon born fruit. Two years later, he earned enough money to pay his father-in-law. And a few years later, Saykao was able to prove to every one that he was no different from any one else. He had achieved self-sufficiency, became wealthy and won the respect of the Hmong in the locality. His father-in-law was the first to acknowledge the success of his son-in-law. And since that day, there was only love and respect between the two men.
Saykao told his son, Nyiaj Lwm, to tell all his descendants about his experience. "Tell them all of what I have gone through and of what I have achieved. The humiliation I received, gave me heart to fight the impossible. With the determination (heart), the will to achieve and the power within each one of us, (mob siab, rau siab thiab rau zog), all of you can achieve as I have done." This philosophy of life is being passed down to all descendants.
Saykao had 12 children to ensure his descendent as he had no brother.
In the 1940's our family lived in Leem Kab Sab, in the Nong Het area. After the death of Saykao, our family began to have conflict with other Hmong, especially the Hmong Ly. The major problems seemed to be related to the way of life in the area. Our family were heavily involve in farming. The Ly were in animal husbandry. The Ly's animals would ventured into the Thao's farms and the Hmong would shoot the invading animals. The rule was simple. If the animals died inside the farm, the owner had to pay all the crop damage and the kill animal would be divided into two half and the farmer would buy his half. But if the animal died outside the farm, there could be a hearing to determine if the animal is really offending or the animal was shot intentionally. As our family are related to the Lao (Kia Tong) and with the help of our Hmong Thao relative, Tooj Vas at Npaj Piv, our family always won the cases.
During this time, we had contact with another Hmong Thao branch in Luangprabang. In addition we were visited by Yawg Ntsoov Txim Thoj from Luangprabang (LPB).
Not long after that, Kia Tong 's family was more interested in social life rather than maintain their power. At the same time, Lyfong (who is Kia Tong's son-in-law) understood the importance of education and pushed his children to study hard. Soon, Lyfong family took over the rule of the Hmong. The Ly was then in power. There was rumours that the Ly would take revenge.
NKAUJ SUA NTXOOV XAB XAIVKAUB 1. XEEB (Deceased) 2. PAJ (Soob Cai) 3. NYIAJ LWM 3.1 FAIV NTAJ (Faydang) Vam Phiab (Thaophia) Nom Khwb (Khue - France) Txawj Pov (Pao) Xiongmy (Niam Vaj Lwm - USA) Vam Nplooj (Blong) Paj (Niam Vam Mab Vaj) Mao Chaosay Vong (Andy) Victor Thajyeeb 3.2 NEEJ TSWB (Nengchu) Nang (Niam Nplooj Muas) Pheng Peng Soua Dub 3.4 PAJ CAI (Thaochay) Txiab (Chia - France) Bao (France) Phillip Bouaphet Vangpao Fong (US) Sourivanh (Niam Neejthoob Tongpao) Vieng (Niam Nouvong Lee) Lao Thai Saykham Charlie -"ke" Ekkarath - "Me" Manila Ntxhais Kaub (US) Hawj (Laos) Ntxhais (Laos) 3.5 NTXHAIS (Niam Npuag Looj Yaj) 3.6 SUAV (Niam Paj Vws Vaj) 3.7 PAJ (Niam Tsoov Vaj Lis) 4. DIAV (Phauj Nchaiv Ntxhawg) 5. TXHIAJ SUA 5.1 XOV TXAIS Loob (USA) Ntxhawg (Laos) Nom Vaj (Laos - Ban Nouk) 5.2 NPLIAJ YOB Nyiaj Npis Nom Xwm Nkaj Ceeb Loj (M) Leev (M) Nruas (M) Choo (F) Tiaj (F) Kiab (F). 5.3 TOOJ POV Poj Chib Mais Yias Ntxhawg Npis Npaws Txhoj Koob Meej Yeeb Ntxhawm Seev 5.4 PHAUJ RWM (SUAV TUAM VAJ) 6. NTXHOO 7. LWJ (Soob Lwj) TOOJ (Deceased) KAUS KUAM MAWS SUAV ME (Ban Nouk) XAIV KUAM 8. TXAIS (TSWV XAB) KAB YEEB (Laos) XEEB PHAUJ CHO (VAJ LWM) 9. VWS (Nom Vws) TSAUS (Niam Tswv Vaj Vwj (deceased -Laos) TSWV XYOOJ (deceased -- in Laos) MAIV (Niam Yajtub Nyiajmas (France) NRUAS or DAVID (USA) NOB or NANCY (USA) MIM or MARY (USA) NYIAJ NPIS or BILL (USA) NTXAWM or JUDY (USA). SUAV LOJ (Laos) TXIM (deceased) 10. TXHIAJ VAJ NCHAIS (Phonesavan) TUAM (Sayabouri) MAIS XIS (Laos) PAIB (USA) 11. TXOS (Nchaiv Txos) YAJ (Deceased) SUAV TXHIM 12. NPLIAM (Paj Npliam) TEEV (Phonesavan) VAS (Phonesavan) MAIS XISFig 2. Saykao family
Our family, the Saykaos, under the leadership of Nyiaj Lwm took the rumours seriously. Nyiaj Lwm decided to shift the whole Saykao clan to a new village in the middle of a jungle between Leej Khab Sab and the Vietnamese border. They named the village Npav Pej (Ba Pae).
The family had one good year at the new village. Then problem started.
Npav Pej was situated about one kilometer from the telegraph route where the Vietminh and the French use as their passage. When the Vietminh wanted to ambush the French, they passed through the village. When they returned to Vietnam, the French came to the village and fined the villagers for supporting the Vietminh. The Vietminh would do the same if the French passed by.
For the next four years, our family at Npaj Pej took refuge in the nearby jungle. During the day, the men and some women would returned to the village to feed the animals or gather food as usual. At dusk, they returned to the jungle to live in hiding, in different places during the years.
On the fifth years, our family decided to move to Naj Pis, on the Vietnamese side to join the Thao clan there. But the family moved back to Npav Pej soon after Tooj Vas group left for Luangprabang and after the death of yawg Xov Txais.
Nyiaj Lwm had to made the biggest decision in his life. To join the Vietnamese or the French?. Finally, he decided to join the French, the free world. He personally went to see the French at Tsuam Meej. Contrary to what he expected, as soon as he arrived, he was arrested and pushed into a hole in the ground. An urgent message was sent to the family to demand for a ransom for his release: 40 silver bars, 10 pigs, 10 cows and 150 roosters. Our family never forget this chapter in our history. Grandmother Nyial Lwm recounted, "we are terrified about the demand. If we don't pay your grandfather will be killed. Of course we have no money problem but can you imagine the threat we recieved". She was referring to the message received by our family: the message was in Lao and our family got the message that the ramsom is 'sip-see' bar of silver (which means 14 silver bars). The family quickly delivered the 14 silver bars but they were told that the ramsom was not 14 bars but 'see-sip' bars (i.e. 40 bars). And the family was threatened that if a total 40 bars could not be produced within one day, the family would face the consequence. Every was in tears and rushing back home to dig out more silver.
Following the arrest saga of Nyiaj Lwm, one group of Hmong Ly began to spread news that the Saykao clan would be castrated to the last male. Our family had enough reason to fear the threat. Nyiaj Lwm had had enough. He wanted to end them all by deciding to take his Thao clan and migrate from Nong Het area to lead a new life at Luangprabang in the north-west of Laos.
Then the exodus began. While crossing the Naj Cheeb river, on a suspension bridge, grandmother Nyiaj Lwm recalled, "The Hmong Ly were one side of the bridge and shook the bridge so violently that we almost could make to the other side".
On their way, the family stopped at Phuam Loom. Faiv Ntaj, Yawg Txhiaj Suav, Yawg Nyiaj Lwm and yawg laus Nyiaj Tsa left for Xiengkhouang (XKG) to get a truck to transport the children to Luangprabang. While waiting, Vang Pao (VP) and his father (Mr. Nengchu Vang) heard about the exodus. Vang Pao came to Phuam Loom with horses and carriers and took the group to Hav Tab Seeb. Fifteen days later, the XKG envoy returned with no truck and found all the people were taken to Hav Tab Seeb. Nyiajlwm was furious. When he arrived at Has Tab Seeb, Mr. Nengchu (VP's father) came to see him and brought an ox and a gong, incent and the sacred buffalo horn. As he arrived, he personally performed a soul calling (hu plig) for the Saykao and killed the animal and feed the family. He gave a guarantee that he would protect the Saykao against all other people. Nyiajlwm was overwhelmed by the sincerity and genuine intention of Vang Pao's father that he just could not refuse. He agreed to stay at Hav Tab Seeb.
Six months later, Nyiajlwm got sick and died. At his death, the Saykao were already spread out. Nchai Txos and Tooj Tuam were living at Phwv Sawm; Nomvws and Xyoojlwj at Phuam Loom and Tswv Xab was in Sam Neu (and Kab Yeeb was sent to study in Vietnam).
After Nyiajlwm's death, Faydang, his eldest son became the leader of the family.
The family continued to face more conflicts, the idea of moving to Luangprabang was on again. But the family finally decided that our family must learn to face all future conflicts. Education became the top priority. Blia Yao (Npliaj Yob), Paj Cai (Thaochay) and Neng Chu (Neej Tswb) were sent back to school in Xiengkhuang. Nengchu started at grade 4, Thaochay at grade 2 and Blia Yao at grade 1.
Nengchu and Blia Yao joined the army after completing grade 6 and grade 5 respectively. Thaochay continued to higher education and graduated in Law and returned to work at the provincial office at Xiengkhuang.
During that period, Phauj Sua married to Paj Vu Vang (VP younger brother). Nengchu married Vang Pao's younger sister. Blia Yao also married Vang Pao's younger sister!. Thaochay married Nao Ko Ly's daughter at Xiengkhuang. Ly Vang Tongpao took Paj as his second wife and but he never returned to finalize the wedding.
Faiv Ntaj (Faydang), Nyiajlwm's eldest son became the Saykao leader. His first marriage was abruptly terminated after the birth of a son, Thao Phia (in Texas USA). He married the second wife but only had one boy, Nom Khu (Cholet, France). He then married the third wife, an orphan girl from the Lao clan called Youa. From this marriage he had 8 children. And I am the eldest boy from this third wife.
In late 1953, Txhiaj Sua moved back to Boua Loom after the Vietminh retreat.
Faiv Ntaj stayed at Hav Tabseeb and escaped an ambushed by Vangpao's troop.
Nomvws and Soob Lwj remained at Phuam Long.
Faiv Ntaj family was ambushed and arrested and taken to Longkuang with Yawg Saiv Tsu as mention at the beginning.
From 1954, Pog Nyiaj Lwm and Nomvws, Soob Lwj, Tswvxab and Nchais Txos moved to Long Kouang.
When Thoj Tub returned to Vietnam, Tswvxab and Nchais Txos wanted to returned with Thoj Tub but Nengchu disagreed and took the two of them to Phakhao.