The Chicken, My Spirit (3/14/09)

FYI: Hmong people believe in Shamanism: a belief in spirits of many different kind and forms. Therefore, animals and their spirits are essential to human life and they play a crucial role in spirit callings. But chickens in particular are of upmost importance because they are symbolic of a life line.  Hmong people believe chickens are strong spirits and hold the capacity to protect humans from evil spirits and can trace lost spirits wherever it may be. In a spirit calling ceremony, a chicken is used to find the lost spirit. After cooking the chicken whole, an examination of the chicken's feet and mouth is done to see if the spirit has returned home (to the person). 

My dream was a short one but crucial in many ways. Around this time in my life, I was going through a lot of changes and having a rough time. One night I fell asleep on my futon and dreamt of my father and his chickens. My father loves his chickens and takes care of them like they are his children. Growing up I would love to watch my father bathe his chickens and stitch them up if they were injured. So in my dream, I remember sitting outside watching my father care for his chickens. When all of a sudden he takes one of his chicken and breaks its feet right in front of me.  It was painful to watch and chills ran down my spine. I pleaded with him to stop because he loves his chickens so much but he wouldn't yield to my pleading. As his vicious actions continued, I cried and begged on my knees but he laughed and proceeded. Right then, I woke.

I still don't have a clear understanding of this dream but after some talk with my father I learned the importances of chickens. I strongly believe this chicken's spirit correlates with my spirit. Maybe my spirit is lost and the chicken was a representation of it. Or maybe it was a prediction of my lost spirit to be. I will continue to ask about this dream from my uncle who is a Shamanist and will follow-up.