Happy 2757
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HURON — The Earl Nordby 4-H Exhibit Hall was awash with color Saturday, as the Karen community in Huron celebrated its culture’s New Year.
“This is the Karen year 2757,” explained Wah Ka Paw. “because the Karen year is shorter. Our New Year date changes year-to-year.”
Wah Ka Pow said that she has been in the United States for about 10 years and is very happy to be in a country where she enjoys freedom and has access to educational opportunities.
She explained that most of the wooden items on the table, including a slingshot, some musical instruments and utensils, are made by hand from bamboo.
One of the items on display was a metal drum, made from gold and silver, with thousands of decorative motiffs on its 30” face. Next to the drum was a family photo of Paw Say, the first of the Karen people who arrived in Huron, back in August of 2007.
“He convinced many others to come and make Huron their home,” she added.
The Karen National New Year celebrations are held during the month of “Pyathoe,” which on the Roman calendar falls during December or January.
Photos by Curt Nettinga of the Plainsman
A group of young dancers participate in the “Rope Dance,” a traditional Karen dance that displays the community’s unity, by winding the colorful ropes together.
Visit the Plainsman.com homepage and scroll down to the image gallery to view more photos from the event