Jamal Her posing in Mrs. Pais’ classroom.
Background
Jamal works on their family farm and sells the produce at farmers’ markets. His family has been farming for ten years. He played football during his elementary years and in 8th grade. His family is from East Asia. He is a second-generation Asian American. His parents met in California and moved to Wisconsin, then to Minnesota, where they raised Jamal and his three younger brothers. He plays an instrument called the Qeej, otherwise known as a bamboo instrument. Here is a quote from him explaining its importance: “It is a part of my culture because it represents who I am. It is played at New Years, Funerals, and Weddings. The instrument helps communicate with spirits and our ancestors.” The Qeej ranges from 3 to 7 feet long and produces many different pitches. If the instrument is shorter, it produces a high-pitched sound, and if it is long, the sound is lower. The materials needed to build a Qeej vary; you need specific metals, wood, and bamboo to create one.
Keeping Culture alive
He is grateful for his family and how intentional they have been in preserving the history of their ancestors. His family has taught him to speak Homong words, and participate in cultural events such as weddings and funerals. He intends to keep these traditions alive in the future.
He described it as being hard to stay connected to his cultural heritage at first but since he moved to Isanti it has gotten easier. He is thankful to have relearned the past he had forgotten and have the chance to be his most authentic self. A few of his favorite traditional foods are papaya salad, jamon sausage with purple sticky rice. Additionally, there is Naab Vaam, a sweet coconut beverage dessert. One of the most well-known traditional Hmong dishes is eggrolls. His favorite tradition in the Hmong community is gaining knowledge from elders and understanding how events unfold and hold meaning. He enjoys learning to assist in ceremonies so he can use the knowledge and continue to pass it down.
The Future
He wonders how his ancestors’ daily lives were before the wars. He also wished he knew how they adapted to living and working on the hills in East Asia. His dream job is to own a business in the field of mechanical engineering. He is grateful for the knowledge and experiences he has gained in learning about his culture. He has played Volleyball and Football, and is a talented singer and musician. He loves to cook and is kind, respectful, loving, and has a bright future filled with love, family, and ever-evolving knowledge.
