Kub Qab Kaws and the Empowering Journey of "Tsis Nco Yav Tag Los"

While the modern Hmong music scene spans multiple continents, some of the most powerful, authentic sounds are emerging straight out of Thailand. Standing at the peak of this regional movement is Kub "Qab Kaws" Vaj—whose artistic nickname Qab Kaws literally translates to "Frog." He stands out as one of the very few Hmong solo pop/rock artists from Northern Thailand who writes, composes, and produces entirely original music.

The Magnificent Seven Chapter 7

The rainy season had begun.  The ground was often muddy as the raindrops fell nonstop on the tin-roof buildings.  And, the presence of rain meant that the atmosphere was often moist and cold—perfect whether for people to easily catch colds.  So, the hospital was not only swamped with injured soldiers but sick civilians.  

Although the nurse trainees’ schedule was hectic, Lwg Dej would often make time to come accompany Xyooj Vaj Huam, even if it meant having to skip her break and meal times.  After cleaning and changing him, she would tell him stories of hope and courage to keep him company.  And while that brief period was exhausting, Lwg Dej never felt tire for she was experiencing a kind of happiness that she’d never had before. 

On the seventh morning after his admittance into the hospital, Noog Xi came to check Xyooj Vaj Huam’s vital signs as usual.  And as usual, she found Lwg Dej resting her head on the bed next to the patient.  While the two slept, Noog Xi quietly checked Xyooj Vaj Huam’s temperature and blood pressure.  His fever had subsided and his vital signs were stabled. 

Just as she finished writing down her observation, she heard a moaning sound.  She turned to look and saw that the patient was mumbling something.  “Water….water…water….” he called hoarsely.

The Magnificent Seven Chapter 6

It was late afternoon already when she returned home to break the news to Niam Tais Paj and Yawm Txiv Txooj Sua.  When she arrived at their wooden shack, Yawm Txiv Txooj Sua was cutting wood outside.  Too focused on his wood cutting, Yawm Txiv Txooj Sua did not even notice her return.  She decided not to bother him as well so she quietly stepped inside the home. 

Noog Xi saw Niam Tais Paj sitting on a wooden stool, polishing her silver jewelries.  “I’m back,” she said.  “Have you and Yawm Txiv eaten?”

“Not yet.”

“Let me cook then.”

She went into the kitchen and pulled out some meat and vegetables.  She scrambled a few dishes for dinner that night. 

When the food was prepared and served, Noog Xi called Niam Tais Paj and Yawm Txiv Txooj Sua to the dining table.  They sat around the round bamboo-woven table and ate their portion silently. 

After swallowing a few bites, the girl cleared her throat and looked at her aunt and uncle.  “Niam Tais…Yawm Txiv…I know that we are very poor now so I found a job,” she said.

Niam Tais Paj and Yawm Txiv Txooj Sua stopped eating.  “You did?” Niam Tais Paj responded surprisingly.  “Daughter, you didn’t have to.  I didn’t mean to force you to find a job with the words I said the other day.”

“It’s alright, Niam Tais.  I know that you and Yawm Txiv need all the help you can get.  I am still young so let me suffer a bit.”

“What job did you get daughter?” Yawm Txiv asked.

“A nursing job.”

“And when do you start?”

“Tomorrow,” the girl answered firmly.  “But, this job is not like my previous teaching position where I can live at home and walk to work everyday.  This job requires that I live at my work place.  But before that, I will be taking courses in Vientiane for 6 months and then spend another 6 months training in Thailand before returning here.”

“What?  That’s ridiculous!  I won’t let you do it!  Even if we are poor now, Yawm Txiv and I will find a way out!”

Ntsim Yaj’s 2009 Masterpiece "Xa Lub Siab Nrog Tus Duab Hli"

In the fast-evolving landscape of Hmong music, hundreds of artists enter the studio, but only a handful leave a permanent mark. Today, we are digging into the archives to highlight a beautiful, hidden treasure from an obscure artist: "Xa Lub Siab Nrog Tus Duab Hli" by Ntsim Yaj.

The Magnificent Seven Chapter 5

The journey to Looj Ceeb was an arduous trip, taking the Zos Hav Xyoob villagers to the town of Sam Thong first.  As new refugees, they were not permitted to enter Looj Ceeb until they went through proper health examinations and documentations in Sam Thong—Copper Marsh, or Lima Site 20.  It was a mountain ridge town almost a day’s walk from Looj Ceeb.  It had about a population of 8,000 residents and was located north of Looj Ceeb but southwest of the Plain of Jars.  The town had a dusty, dry red airstrip surrounded by karts and sat along a clear flowing pristine mountain stream.  Some of the town’s surrounding trees have been cut down to use as fire wood but the few scattered pine trees still stood tall.  Downfield of Sam Thong were valleys of thorny bushes and purple fountain grasses. 

While Looj Ceeb was the CIA-supported base for guerrilla operations against the communists, Sam Thong was headquarter of USAID operations in northern Laos.  It served as the center for refugee assistance as well as standard aid programs, and kept its own hospital and school.  Sam Thong was the only town to occasionally receive foreign journalists.

With the exception of a few policemen—the civilian town of Sam Thong was emptied of any soldiers.  The day was pouring rain and the temperature was cold so even civilians were not visible outside.  When the two policemen guarding the gate to Sam Thong spotted the new group of refugees, they ran over.  After speaking quickly to the village chief, the two policemen led the group to a building that sat on the northeastern side of the airfield.  It was made out of wooden planks painted a light sky-blue color and wooden black shingle roofing.  The facility included some operable square-shaped aluminum windows with tempered glass to permit the passage of light and ventilation, and two opposing-opened wooden steps on the outside that connected with the main entrance.  Inside the building, there were rows of evenly-spaced red plastic chairs.  Office spaces took half of the building. 

A group of 10 men and women—mostly Westerners but a few Filipinos and one Hmong medic greeted the newly arrivals.  The policemen handed the group over to the staff and left. 

An American man, who seemed to be in charge, spoke to the group through the interpretation of the Hmong medic.  “Everyone, please have a sit,” he instructed.  “We will come by to examine you all for health problems.  Anyone with severe issues will be sent to the main hospital.  Those who are in good health will be given some vaccinations before proceeding to your living quarter.” 

The Hmong medic interpreted.

The Magnificient Seven Chapter 4

            Two weeks have passed since the Red Lao soldiers captured the threesome and sent them back home.  Fearful of alerting the villagers, the soldiers dropped the three off at the edge of the village.  The young teacher had taken Teeb from the back of the Red Lao Hmong soldier, Thoj Zoov Ntxhw, and carried him on her back to her sister-in-law’s home.  It was already midnight when they reached Teeb’s family’s thatched hut on the north side of the village.  Xwm knocked on the family’s door and a few seconds later, the pregnant woman showed up.  Upon seeing her son, she grabbed him from the teacher’s back with tears of joy.  She thanked the elder boy and the teacher for helping to find her son and for sending him safely back. 

The teacher and her elder student decided to conceal their captivity from Teeb’s mother to help the woman to remain calm.  After she took her son, the teacher sent Xwm home.  They agreed not to share the experience with his parents either.  Xwm’s parents were concerned that he returned home so late but were grateful that their son was safe. 

When Noog Xi returned home, Niam Tais Paj and Yawm Txiv Txooj Sua were worried as well.  Since she had come to live with them, wherever she went to, she would usually be home before the sun set.  So her late return made the couple extremely inquisitive, and they kindly forced her to reveal the truth. 

They were terrified to learn about the incident.  They became circumspect and forbidden their niece to pass further than 10 feet from the house.  She had reassured them that they did not need to take that much precaution, but they felt uneasy if they didn’t.  Having been captured twice now, they could not let her endure such an experience again.  In the end, they intended to keep the girl home until they could confirm that it was safe to walk around the village again.  So, the teacher had to cancel class and the husband and wife lied to her students’ parents that she was ill and would keep to the home for many days.

The Magnificent Seven Chapter 3

Conscious now, Noog Xi turned her head to look at the window to the right.  The darkness of the night had faded away.  The moon went back to sleep and the sun came out to give light to the world.  Although the window in her room was still shut tight, she could witness sunlight creeping through the cracks of the window and traveling faster than anything else in this universe across time, space, and the walls of the house.  The light inside was bright enough that it kept her awake.  Not wanting to get up yet, she turned her whole body to the right side and stared at the window.  When she did so, Noog Xi could smell the sweet scent of freshly brewed rice coming through the cracks of the thatched-roof home.  Even this bright into the morning, she could still hear faint sounds of roosters crowing, calling for the sun to rise.  Suddenly, she did not hear the crows anymore but the sound of a sharp blade cutting through hard pieces of dry woods instead.  She knew that the sound was coming from her uncle chopping woods outside to be used for the day.  The noises helped to reassure her of her safety.    

After of few minutes of lying awake, the young woman’s back began to ache so she decided to get up.  But before stepping outside to wash her face, the dream crept back into her thoughts.  How she wished everything in the dream was just a dream like every other dream, but it was not.  Those vivid images were remnants of her past.  Even though she was safe and sound now, the experience haunted her every night in her sleep.  But in dreams, things did not occur the same way twice and they also did not stick to reality.  Sometimes, she would see things that never happened or have yet to exist in her lifetime while other times, the details and ending to her dream would often change.         

The Magnificent Seven Chapter 2

(This is the official poster for the The Magnificent Seven)

 

 

November, 1964.  Which day, Noog Xi could not recollect.  But she remembered that it was a festive time—an occasion for families to pay respect to their ancestors, for the young’s to court and the wise to socialize with friends and family.  Most importantly, it was a time to continue practicing the traditions and customs that her ancestors elaborately weaved many millennia ago for their descendants. 

The sound of the rooster’s first crow woke all the siblings up.  Filled with joy and excitement, they scarcely slept through the night and merrily mingled as they quickly washed up and prepared for the New Year’s morning ritual.  The younger ones were incredibly eager to watch their father hold his split ox’s horn to hu plig or call the spirits of the family to return home and impatient to smell the aromatic incense sticks burning away at the tick of each second that they dragged their sleepy father and mother out of bed.  Only when the chipped residues from the incense sticks fell gracefully into the bowl of raw rice were they satisfied. 

The morning ceremony ended after their father offered fresh food to the ancestors to ask for fortune and protection, and glued new rice papers onto the xwm kab wall by using chicken feathers dipped in crimson chicken blood.   Afterward, her family had their meal.  The newly harvested rice and tendered, home-raised chicken boiled with chicken herbs melted tastily in her mouth.  Noog Xi ate until her stomach was plumped like a frog despite her mother’s warning to avoid overstuffing so that she may maintain a slim figure and find a husband.  She simply ignored her mother’s advice.  She hadn’t eaten home-made food for a long time.       

The nebulous mist that shrouded the mountain top had dissipated by late morning when the girl walked outside with a large tin basin filled with used plates and bowls.  She laid the basin on the dirt ground and stretched her body to feel the cool wind brushed past her bared arms.  She closed her eyes and breathed in her ancestors’ presence.  Noog Xi recalled of the time when she asked her grandfather why the Hmong chose to live on the mountain tops.  He told her that there once lived two looj or dragon brothers.  The younger brother, however, arrived from his mother’s womb a little different.  He had a bird’s beak for a mouth and wings on his back.  His elder brother loathed him for his special features.  Wishing to prove that the elder brother was superior, he declared his younger brother to be his nemesis and vowed to dominate him in everything.  The kind-hearted younger looj desired for nothing else but to maintain a peaceful relationship with his brother and to live as only a free being under the sky.  So, every time his malevolent and greedy elder brother chased him, he ran away.  Gradually, everything related to the younger looj began to perish at the hands of his elder brother—kingdoms, knowledge, and history.  To save his kind from extinction, the younger brother retreated to higher and higher altitudes until only his descendants knew that they, the beaked and winged looj were born on the mountain tops while the lowlands were for the pure-breed looj.  That was why the mountainous terrains of Xiengkhouang Province may be inhospitable to many, but it was a safe haven for the descendants of the beaked and winged looj.  At least for the time being.

The Magnificent Seven Chapter 1

Some of you may recall that I have uploaded the first two chapters to this story before, but removed them because I realize that I had a problem continuing with the point-of-view that I initially used.  So, I took the story off to make the necessary changes and now it is ready to be viewed again.  Enjoy!

Update

For those of you who would like a brief synopsis on this story before diving into the readings or to help you decide if this story is worth your time investment, here is the synopsis taken from a post I've posted a while back.

Synopsis:

A rare female of her time, 22 year-old Lis Noog Xi returns to Laos in 1964 after completing college in Australia only to find her homeland in turmoil and war-torn. Shortly after her arrival and on the morning of Hmong New Year, her hometown of Nong Het is raided by Pathet Lao soldiers and she is taken a prisoner. After her miraculous escape and having no news of the whereabouts of her family members, she goes to live with her maternal aunt and uncle. But no Hmong village is safe against the infiltration of communist soldiers, so she and her aunt and uncle are forced to seek refuge in Sam Thong. It is there that Lis Noog Xi meets Edgar “Pop” Buell, head of the USAID Program in Laos. With her ability to read and write in English, Pop hires her to recruit, train, and heads a team of ethnic highlander nurses. She along with her fellow friends and comrades, Vaj Yuj Yeev, Hawj Yaj Mim, Thoj Suab Cua, Muas Ntsa Iab, Yaj Lwg Dej, and Xyooj Ntxhi Nag run Sam Thong Hospital to serve the needs of the people and the injured Hmong soldiers under Military Region II.

Their journey as nurses test their strength and significance as Hmong women in an era of ever changing fates, where their history is neglected in the context of a man’s world. They get tangle up in love affairs with some of General Vang Pao’s top ranked soldiers, pilots, and secret agents, discovering that to love someone during a time of war is bittersweet and a punishment from the heavens. Would Lis Noog Xi choose her youth sweet-heart on the communists’ side or a CIA-backed astute colonel instead?  Can a group of seven friends overcome the challenges befall upon them and change the lives of many individuals? ~The Magnificent Seven

Note: This story contains characters "loosely" based on real historical figures (dramatized for reading interest) so don't take the characters or events as true to their real life counterpart.  This story is categorized as a work of fiction. 

 

 

So, it was told that the folk legend unfolded like this…

Once upon a time, a young man named Nuj Txeeg was not only handsome and kind, but an equally talented qeej—bamboo reed pipe, player.  His fame and music stretched far and wide, all the way to the kingdom beyond the sky.  In that kingdom, there lived the youngest daughter of a king, but she had a disease—an enormous goiter.  And thus, she came to be infamously known as Ntxawm Mob Txia—the little goiter fairy.

Bored of her heavenly life, Ntxawm Mob Txia often peeked into Earth to observe the mortals’ lives.  One day, the heartfelt qeej music of Nuj Txeeg caught her attention and she instantly fell in love with the lad.

When the annual New Year’s celebration arrived, Ntxawm Mob Txia descended to Earth.  She singled Nuj Txeeg out at the local New Year’s festival, and would not pov pob—toss ball, with anyone else but the talented qeej player.  Her choice in tossing the ball only to Nuj Txeeg meant that she had given her heart to him, and have chosen him to be her groom. 

The young lad, however, didn’t regard Ntxawm Mob Txia in the same manner that she did him.  For one thing, her goiter appearance was not appealing and for another, Nuj Txeeg was already in love with another girl—the beautiful Nuj Saub Noog Xi.  Nuj Txeeg had courted Nuj Saub Noog Xi for a long time, and the two agreed to have their wedding after the New Year.