HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Now I know what you’re thinking. “Dani, you’re
a little early. Yes, I know you live in Asia and you’re a few hours ahead, but
it’s still 2014.” And all I have to say to that is… not if you are Hmong.
Soon after I began teaching here in Luang Prabang I quickly
discovered that a majority of my students aren’t actually Lao. Most of them are
ethnic minorities coming from Hmong or Khmu families. And if you are either
Hmong or Khmu you have already celebrated the new year. From what I have
gathered between a lot of broken English and Lao is that both cultures mark the
end of the year by the end of “working” season. At the end of the season
everyone takes a month off for some rest and relaxation. Oh and of course a two
week long celebration for the new year because one night is certainly not enough.
I have also been told that because the new year is based on
working season that the official day the new year begins varies from province
to province and from village to village. Here in Luang Prabang the new year was
celebrated on December 20th. There was a big festival that lasted
from that Friday night before to just this past weekend. Being the ever so
popular teacher that I am (but not really) I was invited to go twice.
The first time was the Sunday after the new year began, and
I tagged along with a friend and her student. The festival was filled with
people in a variety of traditional and colorful Hmong clothing. (Though upon
interrogating some of my Hmong students this clothing is only worn for the new
year, and not day to day life).
Hmong new year is also the time for securing oneself a
boyfriend/girlfriend. However, instead of talking to get to know the person of
interest you throw a ball back and forth. If someone drops the ball they must
sing a song. Not going to lie but I think the Hmong are on to something here.
You’re forced to sing a song and potentially embarrass yourself; therefore, you
know if the person doesn’t run away they might just be a keeper.
Fortunately at this festival there was no pressure to find a
special someone to toss the ball with and playing with just your friends was
perfectly acceptable. And fortunately for everyone’s benefit I was not forced
to sing a song despite dropping the ball several times. Other than ball
throwing, there was dancing, singing, throwing darts at balloons for prizes
games, bounce houses, dressing up in costumes and taking cheesy picture booths.
I even ran into a couple of my own students who were there celebrating, and
asking if I was going to come back the next weekend. Apparently the next
weekend was promised to be even more fun.
I did go back the next weekend with a couple of girls from
my year four class. One of the girls who was actually Hmong has made
traditional clothes for me, my roommate, and my other student (who is Lao) to
wear. I admit I was excited to wear the outfits but once I had them on I felt
so silly. I clearly wasn’t Hmong or even Lao, but oh did everyone love it.
Another student of mine who lives across the street from me and just so happens
to be Hmong walked by and spotted my roommate and I in our costumes. He was
beaming when he saw us. Also, somehow word must have spread fast to all of our
neighbors that we were dressed up because they began poking their heads in our
doorway to take a glance at us and to gush on about how beautiful we looked.
Once at the festival my roommate and I gained even more
celebrity status. I’m just waiting for the moment when my picture pops up on
some random Facebook page with the caption “white girl in Hmong clothing”. Our picture was snapped so many times I lost
count. Some pictures were taking discreetly while others mustered up the
courage to ask. I can’t really blame them though and it didn’t really bother
me. It was just fun and we were definitely a sight to see. Besides I was
snapping pictures of all the locals dressed in their outfits as well. I even got
to talk to Hmong family who lived in California for a couple years after I
asked if I could take a picture of their adorable daughter.
Happy Hmong New Year Everyone! Cheers to 2015!
4 comments:
haha! I can tell everyone would be completely shocked to see you in their traditional clothing. I am Pakistani and whenever I see some other natives wearing shalwaar Kameez (Pakistani national dress) I get more than excited.
Happy new year girl x
I did a Google image search of Pakistani national dress, very beautiful clothing. It was definitely fun to dress up though I felt so out of place and even more so with having my picture taking so many times. I already stick out like a sore thumb here in Asia even when i'm not wearing traditional clothing. Still I would do it again if given the chance.
Happy New Year!
Happy 2015 to you Dani! xx
Your definitely right about getting my pictures taken even without traditional dress. Is isn't so bad in the city i'm living in because its a popular tourist destination so they are somewhat use to seeing foreigners here. Actually the tourists are usually worse, most of them are from China, and they probably take my picture more than the locals do.
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