Hmong New Year

The Hmong people is a culture of people, mostly from the mountain country of Lao, Vietnam and Thailand.  Many of these people emigrated to the U.S. in the 1970s.  We have several Hmong members in our branch of the church.  During the Hmong New Year (last week in November this year), they have great festivals, during which the people dress in their colorful native dress.  Especially the young people dress fancy at this social event.

Lili is one of our members.  She is wearing one of the traditional hats.

Lili and her brother.  The coins on the costumes are made of silver making a noise as they walk.

Many people in Lao ride motorcycles.  This young lady is dressed in her beautiful pink and black Hmong  costume.

The girls can pick a hat to go with their costume, either a turban style one or a round, nicely decorated hat.

Beautiful embroidery is decorating the young men's costumes.

Even the little girls like to dress up in their costumes.  They are very happy to be with their dad.

One of the main events at the Hmong Festival is getting in two lines and tossing a tennis ball back and forth.  This is a time when the boy or girl picks out the person they would like to date and then they throw the ball back and forth.

Many different foods were available to buy and eat at the festiva, including these tangerines. 

 Elder Vance posing with his Hmong friends.

Many Hmong costume's finishing touch is a silver necklace.  Both the boys and the girls wear them.

This man is playing a 2-string instrument called a xor.  He also sang a Hmong song.

The beautiful Hmong dresses were for sale at the festival.

Hats of many colors.

It was a hot day and an umbrella really helped to cool people off.

Early in the morning at the festival they had a bull fight.  We missed the fight but we did see this bull being lead around.

These dresses are hand-sttiched in the Hmong tradition.  Beautiful!!  Elder Vance on left, Hartman on right, 6'1, 6'4" respectively.

We loved the different headdresses and started taking pictures of them.  Each one was unique and matched their costume.

Tossing a ball between boys & girls was a traditional way to show interest in the opposite gender, but it is now just a social custom.

Beautiful pink pleated skirts  with coins at the waist.

Many added pom poms to their hat and costume.

We were told that all these girls were Christians.

Even the boys have their pomp and costumes.

A little modern convenience of most young adults here.

Judy got this older lady to smile.

They enjoy having their pictures taken to show off their costumes.

Loved the expression on the face of the older women.  So much character and live experience.

Even some of the little ones get dressed up.