| The Household Rules In the Mien family, men are honored with respect and admiration. For example, when there is a big dinner or during a special ceremony, men are the first to be seated around the table. When men are done eating, women help clean up, reset the table, and refill all the dishes with fresh cooking. Then the women and children can eat. Generally, husband and wife share equal value, make decisions together for their family and children. The wife respects her man and the husband shares his concerns with his wife and at times asks for her decision. Mien people believe in family value and hard work. It is very important that a family stays united and not be divided without a good reason. The head of the household makes most of the decision. The father teaches his child(ren) the survival skills (hunting, farming, education). Mien have special respect for their elder men and women. The youths must listen and learn from their elders. Mien Community Fundamental Positions
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Authority and Governance
Chief of the district/village, his duties include (but are not limited to) taking responsibility for the welfare of the villagers; public relations; ensuring peace in the village, town, or district; making executive or administrative decisions; and arbitration of feuds or conflicts.
In the case of domestic conflicts which include spousal disputes, boy/girl love affairs, theft, etc., both sides (the accuser and the suspect) must prepare and supply foods for the judgment day at the chief’s residence. Usually some prominent elders are to be selected from each side of the families for the hearing, or as witnesses. Both families must bring in some whiskey, a whole chicken, some rice, and some currency. When the table is furnished with food (vegetables, chicken, bowls of rice, and at least two bottles of whisky), a shaman will call for certain spirits from the heaven to come down as witnesses to this matter. A judgment can either be accepted or rejected by either side of the family. If a judgment is rejected, no one can enjoy the food on the table. Therefore, all dishes must be dumped or trashed, and the process will begin anew the following day. This process may be repeated until an agreement is accepted by both parties.
Chief of the district/village, his duties include (but are not limited to) taking responsibility for the welfare of the villagers; public relations; ensuring peace in the village, town, or district; making executive or administrative decisions; and arbitration of feuds or conflicts.
In the case of domestic conflicts which include spousal disputes, boy/girl love affairs, theft, etc., both sides (the accuser and the suspect) must prepare and supply foods for the judgment day at the chief’s residence. Usually some prominent elders are to be selected from each side of the families for the hearing, or as witnesses. Both families must bring in some whiskey, a whole chicken, some rice, and some currency. When the table is furnished with food (vegetables, chicken, bowls of rice, and at least two bottles of whisky), a shaman will call for certain spirits from the heaven to come down as witnesses to this matter. A judgment can either be accepted or rejected by either side of the family. If a judgment is rejected, no one can enjoy the food on the table. Therefore, all dishes must be dumped or trashed, and the process will begin anew the following day. This process may be repeated until an agreement is accepted by both parties.
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