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Students celebrate culture
SCSU united to celebrate a culture that has survived despite years of oppression
By Lesley Christianson
Published:
Monday, March 29, 2004
Media Credit: Kim Bucholz
Dancers from Nkauj Hmong USA celebrate Hmong culture Saturday night in Ritsche Auditorium. SCSU president Roy Saigo gave opening remarks. Speakers included professors Dia Cha and Yue Pheng Xiong.
Hmong Night brought community members, SCSU students and faculty, infants and the elderly together for a night of celebration and education Saturday night in the Ritsche Auditorium.
Despite initial fears he would not be able to speak, SCSU President Roy Saigo opened the evening with a few inspirational words. �
"Having experienced some of what you all have, I can honestly say (the Hmong) community has been very successful in coming to this country," Saigo said. "It is important to hold these kinds of evenings, especially for the Hmong community because (they) are a part of us."�
After Saigo's opening remarks, the dance group Nkauj Hmong USA performed a colorful traditional dance. Each dancer carried an umbrella made of multi-hued beads that snapped and clicked during their elegant procession onto the stage.
The dancers incorporated the umbrellas into the dance movements as though they were simply extensions of their own arms.�
Following the Nkauj Hmong USA's performance, Hmong Student Organization (HSO) adviser SCSU professor, Dia Cha, introduced the evening's keynote speaker Yue Pheng Xiong, who has a doctorate degree in Hmong studies. �
"The Hmong have a long history and a very unique culture," Xiong said. "They are one of the most ancient people in the world. At least 6,000 years ago, the Hmong are known to have existed in China. They already knew how to use metals and irons, and they already established a governmental system."�
Xiong spoke about the hardships the Hmong people have endured over the centuries. He also mentioned their relatively recent migration to the United States. �
"For at least 6,000 years, the Hmong have fought against oppression by the Chinese. And still we survive," Xiong said.�
He explained how centuries of oppression can force people to think of their culture as truly inferior. �
"Many people are ashamed to be a part of our culture and our society," he said. �
Xiong said Hmong coming to the United States endure severe culture shock because they are allowed to celebrate their traditions and are taught that they are equally as valuable as other cultures.
�He said there are benefits in leaving oppressive China, but some Hmong are afraid they are losing their culture. �
"If it was to disappear, it would have long ago," Xiong said.
He said the Hmong now have a sense of national pride and a higher self-esteem as a culture in general. �
"Our culture will continue to change, but it will continue to flourish," Xiong said.�
SCSU student Marleny Nessgenhal, who traveled to Laos and Thailand with professor Cha last year, shared a slide show of photographs taken during her time spent overseas.�
"It was one of the greatest experiences of my life," Nessgenhal said. "For many students it was a homecoming, and for those of us without family there, it was like we made a new family. This was one of the most life changing experiences I've had."�
Traditional Hmong instruments such as the qeej and a Hmong flute were played. The qeej is a metal mouthpiece used in traditional Hmong culture to court a potential sweetheart. It is played by slightly blowing into the mouthpiece while plucking and pulling a metal wire. The wooden Hmong flute sounds much like the Western oboe, but the vibrato is much more distinguishable. Instead of a series of holes, the qeej is swayed back and forth to produce varying tones.�
A fashion show of traditional Hmong clothing from different regions of the world followed the instrumental performances. Some of the styles were more modern than others, but the unique features of beads, silk, bells and multi-colored patterns were represented throughout the show. �
By 8 p.m. dinner was served in the Atwood Ballroom. Entrees included pad Thai beef, chicken asparagus, stir-fry, spring rolls, Lao salad and steamed rice. After appetites were quenched and plates cleared, a DJ party featuring Hmong music finished the evening of celebration.
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