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Yang funerals-01
Bee Yang, a professor of social work at Fresno State University and clan elder, delivers the eulogy for Pakou Yang as her classmates from Clarke Intermediate School and family members listen, March 28, 2006.
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Yang funerals-02
The drum is an important element of all Hmong funerals. When played, it gives emotional support to the participants, March 28, 2006.
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Yang funerals-03
Pakou’s classmates created a memorial posterboard for their fallen friend, March 28,2006.
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Yang funerals-04
A relative comforts Doua Vang-Yang, Pakou’s mother.
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Yang funerals-05
A qeeb player (pronounced “keng”) sweeps the area near the casket, looking for da (evil spirits, pronounced “da!”) to chase out of the room. The low, wheezing sound of the bamboo pipes, along with the slow beat of the drum, also creates a calming effect for participants. At the right, Ia’s grandfather watches as the Daw Kev (funeral officiant, pronounced “Thdaw Kea”) prepares his accoutrements, March 29, 2006.
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Yang funerals-06
A soft, steady drumbeat is provided by a Yang clan elder, March 29, 2006.
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Yang funerals-08
Pakou’s picture and a floral arrangement adorn the hood of the hearse that will carry her casket to the burial site, March 29, 2006.
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Yang funerals-09
Pallbearers carry Pakou’s casket, March 29, 2006.
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Yang funerals-10
Christy Yang, 10, watches as her older sister’s casket arrives, March 29, 2006.
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Yang funerals-11
Pakou’s maternal grandmother reacts as the casket arrives, March 29, 2006.
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Yang funerals-12
A handmade, ceremonial slipper is placed on Pakou’s casket for her spirit to wear on the journey home, March 29, 2006.
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Yang funerals-13
(Foreground, left to right) Macy Yang, Christy Yang, Doua Vang-Yang (their mother), Aaron Yang and Kayoua Yang mourn the passing of their sister and daughter, Pakou, March 29, 2006.
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Yang funerals-14
Pakou’s classmates’ memorial posterboard is also buried with her, along with flowers tossed by mourners, March 29, 2006.
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Yang funerals-15
A lone flower thrown by a mourner rests precariously as the grave is filed with earth, March 29, 2006.
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Yang funerals-16
Pakou’s grandfather watches the burial, March 29, 2006.
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