The chant evokes the shaman's search and the negotiations with the heavily spirits for a cure or for information about the family's fortune (Lee, M.). .
Every Hmong who believes in this religion of shamanism, a form of ancestor worship, has a suka in their homes. The suka is a place in ones" home where the good spirits dwell and protect the home and family. The suka, to the Hmong is like the crucifix to the Christian. Their religious beliefs emphasize the importance of living in harmony with the world of spirits. If done correctly, the spirits will help one keep his or her health and well being. However, if a spirit is made angry, it can cause great pain and suffering. Traditional rituals, such as spiritual blessings, healing rights, New Year celebrations, and funeral ceremonies are practiced in order for one to live in harmony.
In traditional Hmong societies, three mornings after a child is born, the family brings in an elder to conduct a spirit blessing ceremony for the child. This ceremony is to welcome the child's soul to life and him or her to the family as a member. In this ceremony, two male and one female chicken are sacrificed for the ritual; two chickens are offered to welcome the child's soul to life and one is offered to thank the Gods for granting the family a child. The ceremony that follows the three mornings after a child is born, which takes place thirty days after birth, is called the baby naming ceremony. It is a ceremony that introduces the infant's spirit to its name. Sometimes when a child is born, their parents have already decided what they want to name their child. As an infant, a child's spirit can cause harm to the child making him or her cry a lot as a sign that they do not like their name. Therefore, this ritual must be performed in order to make sure that the infant is happy with his or her name. At this ceremony the family offers raised animals ranging from chickens to cows for the sacrifice.
