Hmong New Year 2013

Hmong culture includes many unique traditions and rituals that mark the New Year celebrations. Family reunion is the integral part of the Hmong New Year. This is the time when all the family members live or dead gather to enjoy the new beginning. The time when all the people take break from their framing routine to take pleasure of this much awaited festival.

New Year in Hmong is not celebrated on any fixed date. The day may not even match with the end of harvesting of the rice crops. It is only decided by the communities and coincides with the comfortable timing of the near by villages. It is the time when unmarried men look out for perspective wives of other communities. The entire Hmong celebrations of New Year last for three days. It is not considered very auspicious to celebrate New Year for one day. ‘One' is marked with bad luck and this is the reason that some Hmong communities observe New Year festival for one month or more than one month.

Hmong traditions for New Year

• Hu Plig (Soul Calling) - This is one of the most important Hmong traditions to call back all the souls of the family for the reunion.
  
• Txi Xim Kaab (Honoring Xim Kaab) - People carry offerings to the God of wealth.
  
• Neeb Foob Yeem - This is related to one art which is called Shamanism. The Shamanistic ritual is to release the Curing spirits of She-Yee for “vacationing". This only happens if the specific family has a shaman in the house.
  
• Noj 30 (Eat 30) - The main feast prepared and enjoyed by all the family members on the New Year Eve.
  
• Pe Tsab (Blessings from Elders) - This custom is carried on the wee hours of New Year. The tradition includes parents, uncles, father/mother-in-law, and dead ancestors.
  
• Ntxuav Kauv Laug (Cleansing the Body) - The process includes cleaning of the body from all dirt and impurity.
  
• Ntuag Qhauv - One of the important rituals which is carried to shun all the problems, issues, loneliness, temper and bad deeds which might have happened in the family.
  
• Lwm Qab/Sub - Chicken is used to perform this ritual.
  
• Tog NeejTsa Tuaj Noj Tsab - Special guests are welcomed to have Tsab which is a very big eat.
  
• Xa Noob Ncoos/Tsoog Laug - A thanksgiving event to pay gratitude to parents and in-laws of the family.
  
• Tam Noob Ncoos - This is the special thanksgiving feast arranged for the in-laws and parents.
  
• Tso Plig - This procedure includes releasing the souls of all the dead people.
  
• Noj Tsab (eat tsab) - One of the very large gathering with special cuisines that includes pigs, cows, and buffalo.

Wish you very Happy New Year! Hope you enjoyed reading the information on Hmong New Year 2013.