The goal of the Khmu National Federation, Inc. (KNF) is to provide cultural preservation for our Khmu people and their communities in the United States. Cultural preservation will be the retention of customs and heritage of our Khmu people in which are showcased through clothing, music, traditional hand tools, ethnic foods, dance and performances. Our primary tradition includes hand-tying setup (Quan) which is displayed with whole chicken, eggs, white strings, fresh fruits, fresh flowers, taro, yams, sticky rice, water and wine.
In addition to the Quan, two rice wine jars will be required for each ceremony. Three other important elements for the cultural preservation for our Khmu people are the sword dances, Khmu singing of the (Term), and the traditional dance performances of rice planting and harvesting. Each year, the KNF selects one of its Khmu Community Associations to collaborate and combine to have one (Greh) New Year celebration.
The Annual Greh celebration in that particular city and/or region becomes the main focus of the KNF to help support, advise and ensure appropriate setup that aligns to cultural themes of traditional Greh celebration. This annual event which rotates from year to year spanning from Khmu Community Associations in Santa Ana, Fresno, Stockton, Bay Areas cities in California, Washington State, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Massachusetts. These annual events provide us the opportunity to support our Khmu communities and help promote and retain our cultural heritage which will be preserved for future generations.
Written By: Tracie Chulaparn Friedman (KNF President)