I am not completely familiar with Hmong culture and religion. However, some elements are similar to that of Chinese culture.

Hmong people, and indeed Chinese people in old time, are closely linked together by family ties. Family, in oriental culture, is a big concept. It extends to all relatives under the same surname. Old people usually have more authority on family issues. It may surprise many American that your relatives can decide your private life. But in Hmong and Chinese culture, that is true (or at least used to be). In many rural China, family members and relatives lived very close to each other. There once were all kinds of annual meetings to determine family issue and resolve any dsipute within family.

During the first Chinese census, Chinese government tried to distinguish different Hmong groups, which ended up with tens of ethnic groups. Later, scholars determined that most of those people who had common religions, similar legends and lifestyles were indeed the same group, even though their language were different. One of key components is the musical instrument–Shen (a type of flute with many tubes sticked together). It should note that Shen is also used in Chinese Han. This further confirmed that Hmong is related to Chinese Han culture.

The Hmong religion has deep root of shaman, or witch culture. It dates back to 5000 year’s ago. This type of idea are also very popular in Chinese Han, espcially in southern people. In the shaman religion, shaman live in the community and can connect to the god or spirit. This is totally different from Christianity. In Christian culture, no one is supposed to talk to God. It’s been done by Jesus. In addition, Hmong people believe that all ancestors live with them (in an invisible way). They are watching and protecting us every day. There is no Heaven or Hell.

Furthermore, spirit, or ghost, is a very important concept in this shaman religion. In addition to ancestors, spirits of water, mountains, and evils serve different purposes in daily life. It is very common in Hmong, and also in many Chinese communities, to worship all sorts of spirits in specific days. Whenever you were hit by an evil spirit and became ill, you should pay something to let him go away from you. Shaman are ususally available to perform that service.

Anyway, the Hmong religion and culture is very similar to that of southern rural Chinese community, and is old but nevertheless healthy superstition.