Qeej Hmoob: Sawv Kev by Aranvihn Thor

Sawv Kev = Departure of the Deceased. Performed by Aranvihn Thor. This is technically the last song played at a traditional Hmong funeral....

Tshuab Raj Thiab Qoj Qom Qas Zoo Mloog

Muas Ham Dig Muag Txawj qoj Qom Qas Tu Siab

Ncas Hmoob - Kawm Tshuab Ncas Hmoob

Sawv Kev = Departure of the Deceased. Performed by Aranvihn Thor. This is technically the last song played at a traditional Hmong funeral. Back in previous generations, when people carried the deceased to the graveyard, the Qeej player would walk alongside and play this song, sometimes going under the manmade horse. In more modern times, this song is played on the last day at the funeral home as the coffin is led out to the hearse.

It is the goal of the Hmong Cultural Center's Hmong Qeej Videos project to promote increased knowledge of and interest in the Hmong Qeej Instrument and the Hmong Folk Arts Tradition among Hmong and non-Hmong children, youth and adults in Minnesota and the United States more generally.

The Qeej is a bamboo pipe instrument known worldwide as the primary cultural identifier for Hmong people practicing the traditional Hmong religion. It plays a pivotal role at Hmong funerals, as the sound of its chords are thought by Hmong to call the soul out of the body and into the afterworld. Many Hmong believe that a proper burial cannot occur without the playing of the Qeej instrument at a funeral ceremony. 

All of the qeej instrument songs presented here are performed as part of the traditional Hmong Funeral Ceremony and have an important role to play in helping lead the spirit of the deceased to the afterworld. These songs are taught as part of the Qeej class curriculum at Hmong Cultural Center in Saint Paul, MN. The songs are orally recited and performed on the Qeej instrument by instructors and students at Hmong Cultural Center. All videos were filmed by videographer Mitch Lee.

This project has been supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and a Folk Arts grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, this activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.