Hmong Studies Journal (May 1997)
The Xiong Family: A Documentary Photo Essay
Abstract
Focusing on a Hmong family I've known over the years, I decided last fall to begin documenting their daily lives at home. The Xiong family, consisting of a father, mother, and their twelve children, live in an apartment on Chicago's northside. When I began photographing them the oldest child was 16 years old and the youngest just 3 months. With such a big family each child has certain responsibilities. For example, Nkauj Iab, age 9, is in charge of bringing out the folding chairs and putting them away before and after each meal. Elizabeth, the oldest, 17 now, is in charge of cooking dinner each night and holding down the fort while her mother is away working the second-shift. Poj Laim, age 10, sweeps up the rice that falls on the floor after each meal. The older sons help their dad work on the apartment buildings that he owns. And, of course, everyone chips in to take care of the youngest two members of the Xiong family, Honey, age 2, and Yeng Meng, just 1 year old. In fact, sometimes I find myself putting down my camera to watch over one of the young ones.
