About Tou Long Xiong
Born and raised in Merced, California, Tou Long Xiong is the youngest of 11 siblings. At the age of 10, he was inspired to learn the traditional Hmong art of Lug Txaj by Miss Hmong International 2005, Ashley Thao. He was fortunate to learn and craft the art of Lug Txaj through the teachings of his mother, Xyooj Maim Thoj, who was also well-versed in Lug Txaj. At the age of 19, he competed and won the title of Mr. Hmong California 2014 during the Sacramento Hmong New Year Pageant. His platform is to inspire the younger Hmong generation to learn the Hmong language and preserve the traditional Hmong art of Lug Txaj Moob Leeg. Throughout the years, Tou Long has been invited by many local Hmong organizations to sing Lug Txaj at numerous events including the opening of the annual Hmong New Year celebrations. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, hiking, and singing. With great admiration to the traditional Hmong art of Lug Txaj, this piece is one of his many “Lug Txaj Ncu Hluas Nkauj”.