Beyond “Here” and “There”: The Complexity of Hmong Rural to Urban Migrants’ Livelihoods in Kunming, China

The ethnic minority classification of ‘Hmong’ has never been an officially recognized ‘minority nationality’ category in China, since it has long been subsumed under the broader category of ‘Miao’ with three other culturally and linguistically diverse groups for national census purposes. This means that understanding of Hmong migration patterns, ways of life, and livelihoods in China are not particularly well understood, despite a population estimated by overseas scholars at around 3 million in China, of a total of about 5 million worldwide (Michaud et al. 2016). In response, my research aim is to investigate the complexities and intricacies of Hmong rural-to-urban migration patterns to Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, including how Hmong migrants establish themselves as urban residents and access livelihood opportunities in the city. To achieve this aim, I will use a portfolio of qualitative methods including semi-structured interviews, mental mapping, and photovoice to capture Hmong migrants’ own understandings of their everyday experiences. My research project will contribute not only to expanding knowledge of how marginalized ethnic minority communities make a living in urban environments in a socialist state, but also hopefully to the development of practical policy recommendations to support rural-to-urban ethnic minority migrants in Yunnan Province.

Faculty Supervisor:

Sarah Turner

Student:

Partner:

Yunnan Normal University

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Public Service, Policy, and Governance; Other

University:

McGill University

Program: