Iu Mien American - History

History

Yao originated from China and migrated to Laos and Thailand, then to the United States. The Iu-Mienh scriptures and stories were told that Yao people were from a place called “Qianjiadong”. “Qianjiadong” is the homeland of the Yao people. For generations the legend of the “Qianjiadong” was told that there was only one way in and one way out of this peaceful beautiful place througyh a cavern. This homeland of the Yao, was told that it is very beautiful, has surrounding waterfalls and rivers, and that it is secluded from the outside world. As many years has passed people started to doubt and thought it was just a myth, until, recently Gong Zhebing discovered this homeland of the Yao.

Yao people, from whom Mien Americans descend, arrived in Laos from Southern China during the late 1800s. Reasons for this migration remain controversial, varying from political to socio-economic ventures. Many Mien American elders fought alongside the United States CIA during the "Secret War" of Laos in an effort to block weapon trails to Vietnam. When the American operation pulled out in 1975, hundreds of families were forced to seek refuge in the neighboring country of Thailand. Hundreds died during this journey on foot through the deep jungles of Southeast Asia. In the next few years, thousands settled in Thailand refugee camps. Through programs from the United Nations, roughly 60,000 were sponsored to western countries such as the United States.