Tulsa World: Event to celebrate Hmong New Year

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Event to celebrate Hmong New Year
Organizers say all cultures are welcome to join.

Pachong Vue, a Hmong elder, holds the ceremonial rooster during a cleansing ceremony of the Hmong American Association of Oklahoma's Hmong New Year event at the Green Country Event Center on Friday. CORY YOUNG/Tulsa World

By SARA PLUMMER World Staff Writer
Published: 11/7/2009 2:22 AM
Last Modified: 11/7/2009 4:43 AM

Bad spirits were symbolically chased away Friday during a cleansing ceremony for the kickoff of the Hmong New Year.

The celebration included blessing the good spirits of the new year, and organizers hope that diversifying the annual event will bring good fortune.

"This is a community event, and not just the Hmong community," said Linda Lor, program coordinator. "Create that dialogue between the different cultures. Educate and learn from one another's culture."

Lor and other members of the Hmong American Association of Oklahoma are organizing the two-day event Saturday and Sunday at the Green Country Event Center.

Activities include competitions in modern and traditional dance and singing, which is a new aspect of the celebration.

"We added that to spice up the event and boost the children's self-esteem," Lor said. "We're bringing in other ethnic groups to diversify the program."

Chinese tiger dancers and Indian dancers will perform during the celebration. Teams will play soccer, football, volleyball and spin top, a traditional Hmong game.

Food and clothing vendors will be set up outside the event center.

Traditionally, the Hmong New Year was when people celebrated the harvest and communities came together.

"Back in the country, it was a time for young people to find their soulmate," Lor said.

In Tulsa, the event has become a way for Hmong families to gather and for the younger generations to connect to their heritage.

"It's a time to preserve the Hmong language and culture," Lor said.

Stephen Vang, a liaison for the Hmong association, said about 5,000 Hmong live in the greater Tulsa area.

The celebration is attracting visitors from across the country, including from Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and California, organizers say.

Vang said the celebration has become a major event and is expected to grow as the Hmong population increases in Oklahoma.

Hmong New Year celebration

When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. New Year Celebration Party from 6 p.m to midnight Saturday.

Where: Green Country Event Center, 12000 E. 31st St.

Cost: $4 per person.

Children 10 and younger admitted free.

For more: 663-3418

Who are the Hmong?

The Hmong are an Asian ethnic group originally from China, then Laos. After the Vietnam War, many Hmong resettled in Thailand or allied countries such as Australia, France, Canada and the U.S. Today more than 300,000 Hmong live throughout the U.S., many in the central U.S., and hold agricultural jobs.

What is the Hmong New Year?

The new year celebration traditionally took place in November or December at the end of the harvest season.

Families would prepare a large feast and invite family and friends to join them, much like Thanksgiving.

Sara Plummer 581-8465
sara.plummer@tulsaworld.com By SARA PLUMMER World Staff Writer

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Seppo, Sydney, Australia (11/7/2009 10:54:27 PM)

I like seeing this. I wish Tulsa was more multi-cultural anyway!

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