Asian American Pacific Islander Desi American HAWKS and the Center for Inclusion and Belonging hosted a Hmong New Years celebration on Nov. 20 to educate students on the Hmong Culture.
The celebration provided naab vaam, a traditional thai coconut drink, and egg rolls to students as well as inviting them to participate in a ball tossing game and cross stitching.
Phong Vang, tutoring and academic support supervisor, said it’s important to showcase the Hmong culture to the Cosumnes River College campus.
“I think it’s important because it’s for identity,” Phong Vang said. “We don’t necessarily have a large Hmong population on campus, but we do have Hmong students, and I want to make sure they feel like they’re represented.”
Phong Vang said he wished more people had a better understanding and awareness about the Hmong culture because the Hmong people are often misconstrued with those of Chinese, Korean and Japanese descent.
“Most Americans are not aware of who the Hmong people are,” Phong Vang said. “Not necessarily here in Sacramento because there’s a large population, but in more rural areas where there’s not a lot of Hmong presence.”
Malee Vang, student life and leadership student support assistant, wore a traditional Hmong shirt and introduced the cross stitching activity where students learned how to embroider.
The shirt was covered in coins with a pan dau, or flower, styled stitch depicting heart and mountain motifs.
“Each motif has different representations that all embody the Hmong life whether it’s nature, life or spiritual belief,” Malee Vang said. “When you really look at our pieces of pan dau’s, it tells you a story.”
Malee Vang said she used to be shy to wear the garment because of the jingling nature, but now views it as empowerment.
“I think becoming full time staff at CRC I learned to embrace it because I am probably one of the rare staff that tends to wear their cultural attire even outside of the New Year celebrations,” Malee Vang said.
Malee Vang said her favorite Hmong New Year tradition is Noj Peb Cuag, or eat thirty, where they gather to eat for the near year, celebrate their harvest and call back their ancestors to start the year together.
“I feel like there’s still so much culture left to tell about the Hmong culture,” Malee Vang said. “It’s not just about the vibrant clothes; there’s stronger meanings, histories and enrichment.”
Meliza Perkins, a 18-year-old business administration major, led the pov pob activity, or ball game, where students tossed a tennis ball back and forth while answering personal questions.
“The original purpose is that it’s a courting game,” Perkins said. “They meet, connect and bond with each other to see if they’re date worthy.”
Today, pov pob is used as a social activity as an icebreaker for two individuals, Perkins said.
“I’m not Hmong, I’m actually Filipino, but it’s really fun to be a part of the culture and learn more about the culture,” Perkins said.
The campus is diverse with students from different backgrounds, including international students, Perkins said.
“We at CRC are one associated body, we are Los Rios and it’s important that we recognize other people from different backgrounds so we can open up opportunities for everyone,” Perkins said.