Hmong
youngsters(photo by Chawalit Korsamphan)
Amongst the many tribes in Thailand, most are to be found
living in the Northern Provinces. One such Hill-tribe is the Hmong and
whilst many people will have heard of them, little is known of their
origins. However, there is no doubt that one activity the Hmong certainly
know how to do well and that is how to throw a party!
Hmong New Year is always organized to coincide with the
period of the first waxing moon, which this year this occurred on December
30. On the first day of the Hmong’s New Year festival, Hmong people will
conduct some of their belief ceremonies, for example, cooking a meal, with
the oldest member of the household or the head of family calling for the
spirits of their ancestors to have that meal. Also enjoyed during the
celebrations is a snack made from sticky rice, basted and molded into a
lump, packed in banana leaf. Chicken eggs are boiled to hand out to the
children and family members and the household angel post is renewed and
angels are called to bless family and to bring good luck in the New Year. On
the first day of the festivities a gun is fired or a firework is let off,
the report heralding the start of another year
Children’s
performance.
At present, when Hmong youngsters think of the Hmong New
Year, they do not think so much about the first day’s belief ceremonies,
but, like children everywhere, most think about dressing up in Hmong costume
and having fun. Normally, dressing up in your best clothes and taking part
in the various enjoyable activities lasts for three days but nowadays some
village celebrations go on for five, seven or even ten days. In the past,
each village would organize its own New Year party, but nowadays, Hmong
people enjoy attending the festivities in other villages, each one taking a
turn to host Hmong New Year.
Ornaments
and images in Hmong hand made cloth. (photo by Chawalit Korsamphan)
The modern every-day dress for the Hmong young girls is usually a short
skirt and sleeveless shirt, but the Hmong ladies spend the whole year making
new and beautiful dresses to wear during the New Year’s Festival. Hmong
teenagers enjoy tossing or casting black ball. This is activity provides a
chance for boys and girls to talk to one another. Other party activities
such as spinning tops, where men are separated into two teams, (a male
activity only), one team tossing the top while the other team tries to hit
the thrown-top with their top. Another favourite is crossbow archery. As
time has passed, more activities have evolved by modifying aspects of local
lifestyle into enjoyable games and pastimes, for example needlework
competitions, water carrying, wooden cart racing and even a Miss Hmong
contest and cow fighting in Tak province.
Cage to
cool down those who enjoy fighting during the New Year. (photo by Chawalit
Korsamphan)
Hmong
ladies in Hmong costume and ornaments (photo by Chawalit Korsamphan)
Elder
blessing the younger generation (photo by Chawalit Korsamphan)
Merry-go-round
and swings set up for children during the New Year. (photo by Chawalit
Korsamphan)
Black
ball casting between boys and girls.
Watching
performances on stage (photo by Chawalit Korsamphan)
A parade
prior to starting any activities. (photo by Chawalit Korsamphan)
Temporary
food shop set up during the New Year. (photo by Chawalit Korsamphan)
Miss
Hmong contest.
