Chengzong Yang has been playing the “thaj cheej”, or mandolin, since he was a teenager back in Laos. He learns the skills from his uncle by the name of Shoua Phia Yang and great grand father Yang Mee Nue (Yaj Mis Nus). The early Hmong settlers in Laos and Vietnam came from China in the 1800s and at that time there were many talented musicians, explained Chengzong. Today, only a few Hmong can play the “thaj cheej”, a skill that was passed down from generations to generations. Chengzong says much of it was lost due to the fact that many Hmong in the early days were not educated so no one was able to document and preserve the songs and notes. He thinks this unique traditional folk music will soon be forgotten as many younger Hmong Americans just aren’t interested in it any more.
