Hmong Social Website

Clan (xeem) remains a dominant organizing force in Hmong society. There are about eighteen Hmong clans, each of which traces its lineage to a single male ancestor. Clan membership is inherited upon birth or transferred through marriage, but also occasionally through adoption. All children are members of the father's clan, through which they will trace their ancestors, at birth. Women become members of their husband's clan upon marriage but often retain the clan name of their father. Members of the same clan consider each other to be kwv tij, translated as "brothers" or "siblings", and they are expected to offer one another mutual support. Clan leaders are responsible for conflict negotiation and the maintenance of religious rituals. Members of a clan who share the same ritual practices may identify as a group on the sub-clan level.