Collinsville, Oklahoma
October 13, 2014
Hmong New Years Celebration
Hmong Cultural Traditions Celebrated Oct. 25-26
In Tulsa
Hmong Oklahoma New Year Celebration of 2014-2015

Hmong American Association of Oklahoma, Inc is pleased to present to the Greater of Tulsa community the Hmong New Year celebration scheduled for the weekend of October 25-26, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Green Country Event Center, 12000 E. 31st Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Some of you may wonder what is Hmong New Year, who are the Hmong, where are they from, and why are they here in Tulsa, Oklahoma? The following explanation will help you to better understand the Hmong people. The Hmong are a group of hard working and patriotic people who have maintained their own culture, language, and traditions while adopting the ways of life in the country in which they live in.

Who are the Hmong?
The Hmong are a group of people who have a rich history and place in this world which originated from a Hmong ancient Kingdom in present day China. Due to the conquest of Hmong Kingdom by the invaders, many Hmong migrated out of China in the 19th Century to Laos in Southeast Asia.

During the Vietnam War, the Hmong were recruited by the United States Central Intelligence (CIA) to fight communism in a “Secret War” in Laos and were referred as a staunch ally of the United States. After American armed forces pulled out of Vietnam, the Lao communist regime took over in Laos, and ordered the persecution and re-education of all those who had fought against communism during the war. Many Hmong suffered in great lost and some fled to neighboring Thailand as refugees, and eventually resettled in allied countries, such Australia, France, Canada, and the United States of America.

Today, more than three hundred thousand Hmong are scattered throughout the U.S. with most of the population live in California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Many families did resettle in the tri-states, Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma for agricultural business and employment. The majority live largely in the Tulsa Metro area, including, Broken Arrow, Owasso, Collinsville, Claremore, and the surrounding smaller towns. Currently, there are approximately, five thousand Hmong people living in the Greater of Tulsa.

What is Hmong New Year?
Hmong New Year celebration is a cultural tradition that takes place annually in the Tulsa Metro area where larger Hmong communities exist. Those in smaller communities and in neighboring states would come to join this celebration as well. During this New Year’s celebration, many Hmong will dress in traditional clothes; perform traditional dance, music, and sports, as well as offer variety of foods and merchandizes. It is an opportunity for everyone to meet, especially for the adolescent to find their soul mates through ball tossing and singing love song to one another.

Hmong New Year celebration frequently occurs in late October to November of each year, especially at the end of the harvest season when all work is done. Traditionally, to kickoff the new year celebration, each family would prepare a major feast in the home and invite their relatives and friends to join them as a thanksgiving to the ancestral spirits or God as well as receiving the New Year blessing and a new beginning. For those who are holding to the traditional religion, a ritual would be performed to call back every "wandering" soul of every family member to unite with the family again. It is also an occasion for the young to honor their elders, clan leaders, or community leaders for blessings, as well as to maintain the culture, the language, and the knowledge that passed on for generations.
This celebration normally lasts for a week to ten days, but it has been shortened to a weekend in many parts in the US, particularly in Tulsa, Oklahoma, due to busy life and difficult environment.

We invite everyone to be a part of this very special event that will stimulate a dialogue with Hmong people and enrich the Hmong culture. The event is open to the public with admission of $5.00 per person for the age 12 year old and over. There are sport competitions, singings, dancing, Hmong pageant, food, and other merchandizes to see, smell, test, and touch. Further information can be obtained by visiting our website at www.hmaao.org or contact Linda Lor, President at cell (918) 428-8459 or lindaplor@hotmail.com.
Hello Ted Wright,

My name is Linda Lor. I live in Collinsville Oklahoma and also the President of the Hmong American Association of Oklahoma Inc. I browse through our Collinsville activity calender and come across your name. I wanted to see if you can put our Hmong New Year Festival in the October 2014 calender for anyone who is interesting in attending the Hmong New Year festival on October 25-26, 2014 from 9:00 am-5:00 pm. I also enclosed a press release article and some pictures to help explain the event and about Hmong people. Please feel free to call, text, and/or email me for any other information.

Thank you so much,

Linda Lor
President
The Hmong-American Association of Oklahoma, Inc.
www.hmaao.org
(10/6/2014)


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