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Hmong students to present 'Rhythm of Qeej' Saturday
The SCSU community will be treated to a special celebration Saturday night as the Hmong Student Organization presents "Rhythm of Qeej."
The event, which differs from other cultural nights because it is in the form of a play, begins at 5 p.m. in the Atwood Ballroom. Tickets are on sale now and are $5 for SCSU students and $7 for faculty and general admission. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.
Within the play will be a fashion show, a talk on religion and information about marriages in the Hmong culture � including arranged and forced marriages. Food will also play an important role in the night's festivities.
Solomon Lo, president of HSO, plays one of the lead roles in the play. Lo portrays a grandfather who teaches his grandson about their Hmong culture, including how to play the Qeej, an instrument made of bamboo and played similarly to how an oboe is played.
Lo, a sophomore electrical engineering major, said presenting the cultural night as a play is something new for HSO.
"Rehearsal is going pretty good," he said. "It's a new thing � we've never done a play before, so there is nervousness. I feel like it will go well, though."
Josephine Lee, the secretary for HSO, said the purpose of the new presentation style was to portray the historical side of Hmong culture, especially Hmong New Year, which actually took place in November. But the four-month delay in showing the celebration won't affect the message.
"People ask about what happens during Hmong New Year and are curious about our culture," Lee said. "So, we decided to put it into a play to show people what happens."
Lee also said that the presentation will be different than what other cultural nights present.
"The whole thing is a play, including the parts with the fashion show. It's not chopped up,"she said.
The cultural night has been promoted both in the St. Cloud area and in the Twin Cities area. Lo said the reason HSO decided to promote the night in the Twin Cities area is to hopefully encourage people to attend SCSU.
Lee and Lo both have similar goals for the night of the event: educate the community about the Hmong culture.
"Basically, most people don't even know who Hmong people are," Lo said. "We want to show people that Hmong people have their own culture � they are not the same as Chinese or Japanese people. I want the Hmong name to be recognized as a separate culture."
While the members of HSO are looking forward to the event Saturday night, Lee and Lo are in agreement that there will be a relief Sunday after the event is over.
"We're ready," Lee said. "But we will be happy when it is done. (On Sunday) I will feel proud because we accomplished what we went for. I will also be relieved the stress is over."
For Lo, gratification will come when he sees his colleagues working together.
"I'll be relieved (after the show)," Lo said, "but I will be happy because everyone worked together to promote our culture and who we are to the St. Cloud community. No matter what, I will be happy."
Tracy Ust can be reached at: [email protected]
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