McPhee holds Hmong New Year Celebration
Taylor Kuether
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Campus News
"Nyoob zoo xyoo tshiab" means "Happy New Year" in the Hmong language, according to the large banner that hung in the McPhee Center during the two-day celebration of the Hmong New Year. Attendees had the opportunity to enjoy authentic Hmong cuisine, view ornate, traditional clothing, purchase anything from jewelry to DVDs at the various booths set up, and even participate in "Pov Pob," a customary ball tossing game.
"It can be played either girl-girl or girl-boy, and if you drop the ball you have to forfeit a piece of what you're wearing (to the other player)," said attendee Youa Xiong as she played a game of Pov Pob with a friend.
However, Hli Lee, who helped her mother run a toy booth at the celebration, said dropping the ball and forfeiting a piece of clothing isn't a significant consequence; the traditional outfits worn by many Hmong during the New Year celebration are extremely ornate and require countless different pieces to create the full ensemble. The outfits also signify a deeper cultural meaning: the different clothing denotes various dialects of the Hmong language.
"There are a lot of different types of Hmong," she said. As she helped run a booth selling toys, "(You wear the traditional attire) depending on what type of Hmong you are, green or white. I'm a green Hmong so I wear green dress."
Even the traditional food being served was colorful: "tri-color," also known as "Na Va," is a red, yellow, and green dessert drink that was immensely popular during the celebration. Much of the food served was unique, including various papaya-centered entrees and chicken dishes.
While the traditional Hmong New Year takes place in January, Hmong Event coordinator and associate director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs Charles Vue said the reason it was celebrated in November because the Hmong do not necessarily celebrate the New Year on the official date.
" New Year events take place during major holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years when families can have more days from work and school to celebrate," he said.
Several curious students and community members attended the event as well.
One attendee, Sue Woodman, was present because a Hmong coworker had informed her of the event.
"I'm enjoying the event; I like the whole gathering. It's pretty interesting," Woodman said.
The event was successful one, Vue said.
"The level of communication and support within the New Year planning committee, New Year volunteers-including city police, and the campus staff were super, the weather was good, big volume of New Year participants, quality of performers were excellent, and food was delicious."
In the future, Vue said he would like to see some changes, such as more young people playing Pov Pob, a better audio system, and a bigger space in which to enjoy the food.
Overall, Vue said he hoped the event would connect different cultures.
"I hope this event helps both Hmong and non-Hmong to know each other's culture and feel closer together."
"It can be played either girl-girl or girl-boy, and if you drop the ball you have to forfeit a piece of what you're wearing (to the other player)," said attendee Youa Xiong as she played a game of Pov Pob with a friend.
However, Hli Lee, who helped her mother run a toy booth at the celebration, said dropping the ball and forfeiting a piece of clothing isn't a significant consequence; the traditional outfits worn by many Hmong during the New Year celebration are extremely ornate and require countless different pieces to create the full ensemble. The outfits also signify a deeper cultural meaning: the different clothing denotes various dialects of the Hmong language.
"There are a lot of different types of Hmong," she said. As she helped run a booth selling toys, "(You wear the traditional attire) depending on what type of Hmong you are, green or white. I'm a green Hmong so I wear green dress."
Even the traditional food being served was colorful: "tri-color," also known as "Na Va," is a red, yellow, and green dessert drink that was immensely popular during the celebration. Much of the food served was unique, including various papaya-centered entrees and chicken dishes.
While the traditional Hmong New Year takes place in January, Hmong Event coordinator and associate director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs Charles Vue said the reason it was celebrated in November because the Hmong do not necessarily celebrate the New Year on the official date.
" New Year events take place during major holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years when families can have more days from work and school to celebrate," he said.
Several curious students and community members attended the event as well.
One attendee, Sue Woodman, was present because a Hmong coworker had informed her of the event.
"I'm enjoying the event; I like the whole gathering. It's pretty interesting," Woodman said.
The event was successful one, Vue said.
"The level of communication and support within the New Year planning committee, New Year volunteers-including city police, and the campus staff were super, the weather was good, big volume of New Year participants, quality of performers were excellent, and food was delicious."
In the future, Vue said he would like to see some changes, such as more young people playing Pov Pob, a better audio system, and a bigger space in which to enjoy the food.
Overall, Vue said he hoped the event would connect different cultures.
"I hope this event helps both Hmong and non-Hmong to know each other's culture and feel closer together."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Carlos
posted 11/24/09 @ 11:52 PM CST
I think it is really great the that university would sponser an event like this!
I hope the hardcore secularists who see the "Establishment of religion" lurking in every mention of a religious holiday in a gov't building don't come after events like this. (Continued…)
DK Murphy
posted 11/25/09 @ 1:35 AM CST
The Hmong New Year is a religious holiday?
Progressive68
posted 11/25/09 @ 12:39 PM CST
"The Hmong New Year celebration--specifically based on both religious and cultural beliefs. The celebration is to acknowledge the completion of the rice-harvesting season--thus, the beginning of a new year--so that a new life can begin as the cycle of life continues. (Continued…)
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