After they returned home, a performed the ritual chant that accompanied his journey to the realm of the unseen. During the chant, the cow's severed head was sitting on the Lees' front stoop, welcoming Lia's soul. When I asked the Lees whether any American passersby might have been surprised by this sight, Foua said, No, I don't think they would be surprised, because it wasn't the whole cow on the doorstep, only the head. Nao Kao added, Also, Americans would think it was okay because we had the receipt for the cow.
After returning home, a ritual chant was performed to guide Lia's soul to the unseen realm, with a cow's severed head placed on the front stoop as a symbolic welcoming. This act represented a cultural practice from the Hmong community, highlighting their beliefs in the spiritual significance of such rituals in times of mourning.
When questioned about how American onlookers might react to the sight of the cow's head, Foua expressed confidence that it wouldn't cause surprise since it was only the head and not the entire cow. Nao Kao added that having a receipt for the cow would help Americans understand that it was an accepted cultural practice, suggesting a bridge of understanding between different cultural perspectives.
