that one hmong friend that tells scary stories

Well, he might tell the story of the Dab Tsog, a malevolent spirit. Legend has it that this spirit can cause misfortune and illness. He could also share tales of ghosts that roam the battlefields where Hmong ancestors fought, seeking revenge or justice. These stories often serve to warn people to be respectful of the past and the spirits.

He uses a spooky voice. Just by changing the tone, it makes the whole story feel scarier.

I'm not sure specifically as I don't have a personal Hmong friend who tells such stories. But Hmong folktales might include stories about malevolent spirits in the forest or haunted houses.

Sorry, I don't have an actual example from that friend. But perhaps a story about a cursed object in Hmong lore. Something like a necklace that brings bad luck and misfortune to whoever wears it, and as the story goes, each owner meets a horrible end.

One aspect that could make it unique is its cultural background. Hmong culture has its own set of beliefs and superstitions. So the scary stories might incorporate these in a way that's different from other cultures' horror stories.

Ghosts or spirits are common. Like the various evil spirits that often appear in the stories. Another element is the setting, usually in isolated places such as deep forests or old, abandoned areas like haunted wells or houses. Darkness also plays a role, as most of the scary events happen at night.

One common theme is the presence of spirits. Hmong scary stories often feature various spirits like the ones that haunt forests or houses. These spirits can be malevolent and cause harm to humans.

The story of the cursed well is also quite frightening. The well was said to be cursed by an angry witch. If anyone drank from the water of this well, they would have nightmares every night. In one case, a curious boy drank from it and for weeks he was haunted by dark dreams. His family tried everything from herbal remedies to prayers to stop the nightmares.

Scary Hmong stories are unique because they are deeply rooted in the Hmong culture and beliefs. They often involve spirits and entities that are specific to the Hmong cosmology. For example, the shaman - related spirits are unique to their spiritual system. These stories also serve as a way to pass on cultural values and warnings. For instance, stories about certain spirits in the forest teach the importance of respecting nature and not wandering into unknown places carelessly.

Haunted or cursed objects are also common. For instance, a cursed amulet or a haunted house. These objects carry negative energy and often bring misfortune or fear to those who come in contact with them. In many stories, the main characters have to find a way to break the curse or avoid the haunted object to survive.