![]() Chiem Finh Liem Saechao visited the Mien region of southern China in 1993. Iu-Mien Shaman and maker of ceremonial articles "I am like a bilingual person—I can communicate with both earth and spirit worlds." Chiem Finh Liem Saechao was born in the mountainous village of Muang Sing, Laos. A member of the Iu-Mien ethnic group, Saechao began learning traditional spiritual practices from his grandfather who was a master artist and ritual expert. In 1980, Saechao fled Laos with his family and lived in the Chiang Kong refugee camp in Thailand to await resettlement in the United States. He continued his studies in the refugee camp with other Mien master artists. Saechao continues to practice traditional Iu-Mien culture in Oregon as a spiritual leader and master artist. "I do many ceremonies. In Portland, there are ten or twenty shamans, but maybe only six people here who know the ancient form of writing that is so important for our rituals."
|