For Bumper Yey's grandchildren...

Here is the story of my life ...

My name is Cim xeeb (Tsyseng), BumperYey, Yang. 

I left Laos when I was 16 or 17 years old, I dont remember. I was with my father, his wife, my little brother and my step-sister. 

We used to be three boys, two girls and we lived with our parents. 

                      

Only because of shamanism and war, I lost my mother Yias Thoj (Ya Thor), my two brothers and my big sister. 

They all died, I have a terrible memory ...

My new family and I then went to a refugee camp in Thailand, we had to cross the jungle without losing each other , confronting formidable insects, fleeing the soldiers ... 

It was a nightmare! A real nightmare. 

During the day, the heat was stifling, while the nights were cold and wet, we tried to escape the communist Laotian army that could  kill us at any moment ... 

My uncle let himself be tortured so he could save our life.

This journey was so horrible that I remember every detail.

Once we arrived at the border of Thailand, we were relieved to have reached it. 

We stayed one year in this camp, during our stay, I met my wife and we got married respecting custom.

As tradition says: "Once the dowry is paid, the woman belongs to her husband." 

From then on, she became Ms Yang Cim xeeb and she had to stay by my side. 

At the end of March 1978, I think , we flew to France, while my own family was leaving for the United States. 

Once on the plane, my wife and I, as well as all the passengers, resembled pure peasants who did not know of modern life, which was true. 

We were completely lost, many people were sick and vomiting on the plane. 

My wife, by then, was four or five months pregnant with my first son. 

The journey was long, I thought we were going to die. 

When we arrived, it was a real shock! 

We knew nothing, we were afraid of everything (people, food, lifestyle ...), we thought we were in another world, everything was so different, I did not know a single word of the French language.

My wife and I were welcomed into a refugee home in the Paris region. 

We were dressed and cared for, then we were scattered in several camps throughout France. 

We were sent to Aubenas in Ardeche where we stayed for six months to learn French, cooking, housework, and French laws. An educator helped the men of each family to find work as a worker.

We decided to convert to Christianity.

We were well received by the people who showed generosity (gifts for our children ...) and they helped us to build our new life in France. 

Two years later, we joined my parents-in-law who were sent to Bourges.

Years later, my wife and I asked for and obtained French nationality, moreover we changed our Hmong first names to French first names.

However, we did not forget where we came from, because with many members of our community we created a Hmong association in Bourges in 1982. 

This association was created with the aim of preserving our customs, passing them on to our children.

And to keep in touch with the Hmongs of France,  we organized traditional New Year celebrations every year where all the Hmongs of France meet in traditional dress to dance, eat and to make their purchases. 

It is also an opportunity for our young people to meet and to forge ties of friendship or even more ...

Although we are in France, the traditional Hmong marriage is not forgotten. 

Hmongs who marry each other are obliged to respect tradition. 

The husband must pay the dowry to his future in-laws to be able to marry his wife. As for the woman, she has to leave her family and "belongs" to her in-laws.

In addition, we have kept our traditional way of life: food, farming, and animal husbandry.

Today, I lead a more peaceful life, I have a beautiful and big family. 

My grandchildren and great grandchildren are beautiful, the mixture of races is magnificent. 

Unlike other people in my community, I accept this because I am open to beautiful girls of different origins. 

For me I always want to keep my Hmong side, but the times have changed and I think I have to change also by discovering a lot. 

Living in France was a complete change for me. 

A better life. 

Look how many you are.