Khmu New Year (Greh) Celebration 2024

Khmu New Year celebration is celebrated annually throughout the United States of America. Khmu’ is one of the three main ethnic groups in Laos which consists of the Lao Theung (Khmu’), Lao-Loum, and Lao Soung (Hmong). The Khmu ethnic group is the original indigenous inhabitants of Laos. Khmu’ have their language, written alphabets that were taught to them during the colonial era. They preserve and protect their culture, beliefs, and traditional costumes which makes them unique from the many ethnic groups in Laos. The Greh Ritual ceremony is the most important New Year celebration for the Khmu people.

KNF Board of Director Meeting

Congratulations to the board members, regional representatives, senior advisers, and executive team of the Khmu National Federation (KNF). We’re incredibly proud of everyone’s devotion, hard work, and commitment. We appreciate your inspiration and your role in helping to preserve our Khmu culture. We are grateful that H.E. Ambassador Mr. Sisavath Inphachanh, Laos PDR Ambassador to the USA and Canada was able to attend the Board of Directors meeting and provide advice. 

KNF New Year 2024

Greetings for the 2024 Khmu New Year. We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who helped make Mun’ Greh New Year on Saturday, January 13, 2024 in Richmond a success, especially our Khmu National Federation and all of you who worked so hard to make this happen! anticipating many more. We especially appreciate H.E. Ambassador Mr. Sisavath Inphachanh’s invitation to celebrate the Khmu New Year with us.

KNF Donation Oudomxay

On behalf of the Khmu National Federation, Inc (KNF), we are pleased to provide Fund towards rice and basic supplies for our Lao Khmu families affected by the recent flood in Oudomxay Province of northern Laos. Thank you KNF VP Tony Khoutsavanh for your coordination with Mrs. Khamfong Sotapaserth to ensure the successful donations goes to the affected families; September 2022.

KNF Accomplishments

2020 Accomplishments 

  1. KNF Website officially launched 
  2. KNF Board Quarterly meetings
  3. Grant Award- COVID-19 Vaccination Outreach
  4. Food distribution to the Khmu communities

2021 Accomplishments 

  1. Grant Award- Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC) 
  2. COVID-19 community outreach
  3. Community engagement and advocacy
  4. Local vaccine outreach, education and referrals
  5. Food distribution to Khmu communities
  6. Completed Khmu Census in the USA
  7. KNF Board Quarterly meetings
  8. Completed Khmu Student Census in the USA

ສິ່ງທີ່ທໍາສຳ​ເຣັດຂອງສະ​ຫະ​ພັນ​ສະ​ມາ​ຄົມ​ກຶມ​ມຸ (ສ​ສກ)

ສິ່ງທີ່ທໍາສຳເຣັດໃນປີ 2020

  1. ສະຫະພັນສະມາຄົມກຶມມຸ (ສກ) ໄດ້ຕັ້ງແວບໄຊຂື້ນ
  2. ສະຫະພັນສະມາຄົມກຶມມຸ (ສກ) ໄດ້ຈັດປະຊຸມນະອຳນວຍການທຸກໆສາມເດືອນ
  3. ໄດ້​ຮັບເງິນ​ຊ່ວຍ​​ໂຄ​ສະ​ນາ​ຊັກ​ຊ່ວນ​ໃຫ້​ຄົນ​ໄປ​ສັກ​ຢາ​ແກ້​ພະ​ຍາດ​ໂຄວິດ-19
  4. ໄດ້ແຈກ​ຢ່າຍ​ອາ​ຫານ​​​ການ​ກິນໃຫ້ຄອບ​ຄົວ​ກຶມ​ມຸ

ສິ່ງທີ່ທໍາສຳເຣັດໃນປີ 2021

  1. ໄດ້ຮັບ​ເງິນ​ຊ່ວຍຈາກ​ອົງ​ການຊາວ​ເອ​ເຊັຍຕາ​ເວັນ​ອອກ​ສຽງ​ໃຕ້ (SEARAC)
  2. ໄດ້​ຊ່ວຍ​ສັ​ງ​ຄົມ​ໃນ​ການ​ປ້ອງ​ກັນ​ພະ​ຍາດໂຄວິດ-19
  3. ໄດ້​ສ​ນັບ​ສ​ນູນ​ແລະ​ປະ​ສານ​ງານວຽກ​ການ​ຂອງ​ສັງ​ຄົມ
  4. ໄດ້​ສິດ​ສອນແລະ​ນຳ​ສົ່ງ​ຄົນ​ໄປ​ສັກ​ຢາປ້ອງ​ກັນ​ພະ​ຍາດໂຄວິດ-19
  5. ໄດ້​ແຈກ​ຢ່າຍ​ອາ​ຫານ​ການ​ກິນໃຫ້​ຄອບ​ຄົວ​ກຶມ​ມຸ
  6. ໄດ້​ສຳ​ເຣັດການ​ສຳ​ຣວດ​ສັມມະ​ໂນ​ຄົວ​ກຶມ​ມຸໃນສະ​ຫະຣັດອາເມຣິກາ
  7. ໄດ້​ມີ​ການ​ປະ​ຊຸມ​ຄ​ນະອຳ​ນວຍ​ການຂອງ​ສະ​ຫະ​ພັນໃນທຸກໆ​ສາມ​ເດືອນ
  8. ໄດ້​ສຳ​ເຣັດ​ການ​ສຳ​ຣວດສັມມະ​ໂນຂອງນັກ​ສຶກ​ສາ​ກຶມ​ມຸໃນສະ​ຫະຣັດອາເມຣິກາ

Nèèv hi bwan dé tèèq hôôc dé’Rôôm Sama-khôm Khmu(RSK)

Nèèv hi bwan dé tèèq hôôc da’nwm 2020

  1. Rôôm Sama-khôm Khmu(RSK) bwan dé taq Vèèp-say khwan
  2. Rôôm Sama-khôm Khmu’ (RSK) bwan dé pa’sum kha-na’-amnuay-kaan jwm 3 `nwan
  3. Bwan dé rap kmuul jooy khô-sna an gôn yoh sak s’ooq `ya klat pha’-ñaat khôvit-19
  4. Bwan dé `meek sqmah jooy grua gôn Kmhmu’

Nèèv hi bwan dé tèèq hôôc da’ nwm 2021

  1. Bwan dé rap kmhuul jooy caak Ôq-Kaan  Asia Matbri’-Guut Luaq-Tal  (SEARAC) 
  2. Jooy gôn saq-khôm da’ viak klat pha-ñaat Khôvit-19
  3. Bwan dé guut jooy viak dé’ saq-khôm
  4. Bwan dé `mook-soon pa’ srôq gôn yoh sak s`ooq `ya klat pha-ñaat Khôvit-19
  5. Bwan dé `meek sqmah an grua gôn Khmu’
  6. Bwan dé’ hôôc vwl (sam-ruat) sam-manô grua Khmu’ da’ USA
  7. Bwan dé pa’sum kha-na’-amnuay-kaan dé Rôôm Sama-khôm Khmu’ jwm 3 `nwan
  8. Bwan dé’ hôôc vwl (sam-ruat) sam-manô dé’nak-hian Khmu’ da’ USA        

Hrlo’ uay-phoon Nwm Hmmé Kmhmu’ Nwm Ruaq Plav- 2021

Sigi nwm Kôt Ce (2020) du’ peh
Khro Pha-Cav an phoon
an meh nwm le’ loh
nwm rak rêêm nêêm gu’

nwm hmmé’ gi an saaq reh eh khwan
an bwan kmuul cqgro’ an bwan hqo’ sqlar
ah thraak kiñ tnlô’ ah lmbô’ kiñ kndruum
eh hré’ an bwan hqo’ poh snlo’ an bwan veeq

hqo’ môôy hnuaay yar klaak
an bwan hqo’ géét da’ phraaq
bwan hqo’ thruuc jak bwan hqo’ tlpak gvèèq
an ah sôôk gaay guut gaaq chuur chuur

Taq gi khwan kh`nwq
an graq hmwan glaaq sa an ka hmwan cndrôh
dén glaaq an l`ôk dén môk an l`eev
an thav sqkuur raaq gla’ thav tqga’ knuun

reh root nwm Ruaq Plav (20201)
Koon Kmhmu’ tqlôôc
nwm trsoh hrñwam
koon Kmhmu’ hntu’ srnè dé

an ah jwm gaaq an rmaaq jwm dé
koon cmkwn an kiñ tmpo’ koon cmbro’ kiñ tmnéér
an bwaan thraak maan an bwan yaan ôôr
hré’ hqo’ an vaaq claay hré’ phaay an vaaq tlgook

thraak môôy tô yar bwwq
bwan hqo’ paaq da’ ric
mah am an lôôc tôôc am an sèq
an ah kmuul gaay guut tha-na-khaan am khaat

an hér an lak an ka an graq
gwt am an ôh kôh am an téc
yoh an `naam rvaay gaay an `naam klaaq-mwq
an briaaq huaq cam da briaaq sa lih mwaq.

K`eey hmmaal koon Kmhmu’ gaay

Khro hèèt k`eey hmmaal hl-yôôq
an gaay yat da’ loh da’ lam da’ gaaq da’ c’ô’
yat da’ me’ go’ an gaay srlaay da’ me’ go’ an véc
da’ yat da’ tqkwl qo’ klaaq da’ yat da’ taaq qo’ sar

Da’ neeñ briaaq laak da’ hak briaq prlwaar
véc pa’ bah pa’ pswaam
kma’ da’ hrlu’`moon hyu’ da’ prpèèm
ôm U an kl-yooq ôm Khrooq an lay-va

Gaay yat da’ gaaq h`wm rqge’
yat da’ bwk an yèèq rmaaq
gaay waak buuc kdoq jôq gaay mah kdôq klook
gaay mah srô’ mah kvaay

Gaay yôk gaay tuul gaay pèèl gaay yèèq
gaay an duh véc an thuan dé khô’
jwm ti’ i’ tooq ko’ broom yo’ i’ k`eey
gaay da’ gi hmmaal hl-yôôq koon Kmhmu’

koon Kmhmu’ hntu’ srnè duh loh duh gôn
yat da’ loh da’trlooq yat da’ klooq da’ hrñwaam
da’ giat hndôk mat da’ khat hndôk rèèv
da’ yat da’ hntu’ tm`ôq da’ yat da’ hrôq kjook

da’ viir qoor jôq da’ hlôq sndrah rwaañ
pswaam an dé’ dro’sko’ an dé’ klwp
hrôq ñé’ an cmkaak hrôq maak an tmpwwr
gaay yat da’ kuq ktaaq gaay yat da’ gaaq kdwaaq

gaaq p`uuñ pte’ phrwa
yat da’ phraaq an yèèq jé’ yèèq koon
gaay mah h`iaar vaaq jwaaq mah swaaq vaaq srvèèk
phré an mah kvaay pook mook an mah kvaay hiaaq

méc siaaq k`eey an yèh méc siaaq trsèh an véc
trnoq i’ hi kaay tq`aay i’ hi dam
i’ knpok veey i’ k`eey dwwaq
K`eey rak broom knpok doom.

How to Protect Yourself & Others from COVID-19

Older adults and people who have certain underlying conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 illness.

Know how it spreads

  1. There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease in COVID-19. It is still being developed and will be available soon.
  2. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
  3. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
  4. Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
  5. Respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
  6. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
  7. Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

Everyone Should

  1. Wash your hand often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  2. It’s especially important to wash:
    ● Before eating or preparing food
    ● Before touching your face
    ● After using the restroom
    ● After leaving a public place
    ● After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
    ● After handling your mask
    ● After changing a diaper
    ● After caring for someone sick
    ● After touching animals or pets
  3. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
  4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact

  1. Inside your home: Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  2. If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.
  3. Outside your home: Put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household.
  4. Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus.
  5. Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.
  6. Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting sick.

Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others

  1. You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
  2. The mask is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
  3. Everyone should wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
  4. Masks should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
  5. Do NOT use a mask meant for a healthcare worker. Currently, surgical masks and N95 respirators are critical supplies that should be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders.
  6. Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The mask is not a substitute for social distancing.

Cover coughs and sneezes

  1. Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow and do not spit.
  2. Throw used tissues in the trash.
  3. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean and disinfect

  1. Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
  2. If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
  3. Then, use a household disinfectant. The most common EPA-registered
    household disinfectants will work.

Monitor Your Health Daily

  1. Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
  2. Especially important if you are running essential errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of 6 feet.
  3. Take your temperature if symptoms develop.
  4. Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen.
  5. Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.

Protect Your Health This Flu Season

  1. It’s likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both spread this fall and winter. Healthcare systems could be overwhelmed treating both patients with flu and patients with COVID-19. This means getting a flu vaccine during 2020-2021 is more important than ever.

  2. While getting a flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19 there are many important benefits, such as:

    ● Flu vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death.
    ● Getting a flu vaccine can also save healthcare resources for the care of patients with COVID-19.

Written By: Dr. Bouaketh Sayarath

Khrwaq `nôn-tri (hmaq) dé’ Khmu’

The Khmu were the indigenous inhabitants in the northern part of Laos, Thailand, Myanmar (Shan State), Vietnam, and the southern region of China, rich in musical instruments. The musical instruments and forms of this region spring from the same sources: India, the indigenous Mon-Khmer civilizations (Khmu), China, and Indonesia. However from the French colonial period up until the present, some musical instruments gradually disappeared. Khmu musical instruments are mainly made from bamboo, reeds, hardwoods, and simply leaves.

The Khmu (Kamhmu, Kmhmu, Khamhmu) have their own unique traditional instruments that have been taught and passed by elders down to the new generations without written instruction, and no formal documentation about how the types of the instruments, how they are made, used, and played in what occasions. Due to limited regional and personal knowledge, this article will only cover a limited amount of instruments and techniques used in the Khmu culture.

As stated above, most of the traditional Khmu musical instruments are made from bamboo and a few are made from metal, such as bronze or brass. The name of each instrument may be called differently based on the region and the way it is played, based the Khmu regional singing folklores called (Term or Tem). For example, Khmu Xiengkhouang would call (Khène) Swq Kuul where Khmu Luaq Namtha would call it Khène. The following are the Khmu musical instruments that are widely used throughout the Northern Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam: Leaf (Leaf whistling) Puq Hla’, Gong (Rw-baaq), Cymbal (chèèq), Reed Pipe (Pii), Flute (Toot), Khène (sq-kuul), Jaw’s Harp (Hrôôq), and Hand Palm Tapping (Daav-Daav).

LEAF WHISTLING

Leaf whistling, also known as gum leaf instrument, is an ancient musical instrument and it is commonly known and used by many ethnic groups throughout Southeast Asia including the Khmu. It can be picked from of the local trees and played by holding the leaf tightly between the hands and lips, then blowing across the leaf’s surface to create vibrations. Leaf whistling is quick and simple but requires a good technique to produce a sound. It is least known in Western music and not that many Khmu people know how to play it, especially in the newer Khmu generations.

The Khmu often used leaf whistling while they are working in the rice field, hunting, and searching foods in the jungle for communication and/or expression of their happiness feelings.

JAW’S HARP (HRÔÔQ)

Jaw’s Harp is a folk instrument made of bamboo, carved into a long, flat shape with a small sharp tip on one end for lifting and larger angular shape on the opposite end for handheld. It is then cut in the middle, creating a tongue across the hole. There is also a metal variety, which is typically larger and similar to the shape of a leaf. The instrument can be considered either wind or percussion instrument. As a wind instrument, it is placed against the mouth, which acts as a resonator to generate a sound. One may strike the instrument’s tip with the thump by either lifting it or lowering it to allow the instrument’s tongue to vibrate. When the Jaw’s Harp’s tongue is made to vibrate, a buzzing is created, imitating words by musician’s tongue, which can later be translated and understood by the listeners.

This instrument was widely used as a means of communication between dating couples sneaking during the night. Separated by just a bamboo wall, the male will communicate with female in her house, while the male sits outside, both using the Jaw’s Harp. The Jaw’s Harp instrument is no longer used by the newer Khmu generations. Today, only a few elders, living in the rural areas, can play this instrument.

FLUTES – (PII)

The flute is a family of musical instruments in the woodwind group. According to the instrument classification of Hornbostel–Sachs, flutes are categorized as edge-blown aerophones. Unlike typical woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening that controls by fingers to generate different tones.

There are numerous types of bamboo flutes made by the Khmu people, such as mouth flute (Pii) and nose flute. The mouth flute (Pii) comes in two-three variations. One type is made of small bamboo using four or five sections with the bigger and longer section at one end, and becomes smaller and shorter towards the other end and small hole is made at the tip for the musician to blow air through to create the sound. Four holes are drilled into the middle sections for fingers to control and change the tone. And the other type is made from one section of small bamboo with a small strip hole for blowing and three or four holes drilled in mid-section approximately 3 to 4 inches apart for fingers to change the pitch. These types of flutes are played vertically.

Each Khmu region plays the flute slightly different, based on their regional singing folklore called (Term or Tem). Generally it is played by men during small gatherings accompanied by a folklore singer (Term). Occasionally, it can be played alone in the evening or early in the morning to express the musician’s happiness.

NOSE FLUTE – (TOOD or TOD)

The nose flute (Tood Muh) is normally played by women in the remote rural places, where elders still remember their traditional music and singing techniques. The Khmu people living in the cities and the newer Khmu generations that have assimilated with the Lao ways would not have the knowledge to play this instrument.

It is a bamboo tube with three holes, two holes for fingers to change the sound and one hole for blowing. There is also another variation of the nose flute (Tood) that has three equidistant holes, the middle hole is for blowing by either mouth or nose and the other two holes on each end are for fingers to control sound. Thus, this nose flute can play notes in a range of two and a half octaves. Finger holes in the side of the bamboo tube change the operating length, giving various scales. Players plug the other nostril to increase the force of their breath through the flute.

The Khmu people, living in the rural valley, often played the flutes while working in the rice field, coming home from the rice field, or searching for food in the jungle such as mushroom, vegetables, and bamboo shoots. With a jungle abundant in bamboo, this instrument can be easily made on the spot.

PALM TAPPING – (Daav Daav)

The palm tapping called (daav daav) in Khmu is a musical instrument that made from a fresh bamboo tube about 2 to 3 inches in diameter and 2 to 3 feet in length. It is then cut open on both sides of the tube, leaving two strips about 1-1/2 in width and 12-14 inches in length for tapping. When tapping at the mid-section of the tube on the palm of the hand, the strips vibrate and generate echoing sound from the bottom of the hollow tube.

Originally, this instrument (dao-dao) was used as entertainment by the women while the men are clearing a field in the jungle, to be used for plantation. Additionally, this instrument also used as entertainment during the Khmu New Year celebration.

Khène – (Sq-kuul or Swq Kuul)

This musical instrument called Khène or Khaen (Sq-kuul) is the Laotian national instrument and the oldest musical instrument used in Laos, originating from the Lanxang period.

Khène (Sq-kuul) is typically an eighty-ninety centimeter (roughly 31.5 to 35.4 inch) long mouth organ constructed of seven or eight pairs of bamboo with reed, connected with a small, hollowed-out hardwood reservoir into which the air is blown. Its sound is similar to that of a violin, and it may be played as a solo instrument or to accompany singers and instrumental ensembles. The khène can also be made in a two meter (approximately six and a half foot) version. Very few musicians have powerful enough lungs to master this variation.

The khène (sq-kuul) is widely used and played by many regions in Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia. The Khmu also played the khène (Sq-kuul) as entertainment in weddings, ritual ceremonies (tèèq môn), social gatherings, and (Greh) New Year celebrations. Additionally, it can also be played for just personal entertainment, for fun.

The Khmu men usually play this instrument alongside singer(s), which can either be a man or woman, or both take turn singing (tem or term) to each other. These practices can be seen at the Khmu New Year celebrations, weddings, and annual ritual ceremonies (tèèq môn). At these events, a jar of rice wine is often provided for drinking and honoring guests.

Nipple or Knobbed Gong – (Rw Baaq)

A gong is an East and Southeast Asian musical percussion instrument that takes the form of a flat, circular metal disc which is hit with a mallet. The origin of gong is believed to be from China. Gong comes in various designs, such as flat surface without nipples and with nipples. A nipple gong has a center raised boss or nipple. Nipple gongs are known for a pure resonant tone with less shimmer than other gongs. They can produce many distinct sounds due to their shape when struck by a mallet which is a wooden stick wrapped with pads and cloths.

The Khmu usually used the gongs for New Year celebrations, ritual ceremonies (tèèq môn), new rice festivals, and agricultural rituals. Additionally, the nipple gongs are used for the Khmu New Year celebration parade and Phon Nang Keo dance performance. Cymbals and bamboo sticks are typically used to maintain a constant rhythm during the performance. The gong is also used as a signaling instrument to accompany dances and performances at the New Year celebration. Khmu people in some regions believed that gongs and cymbals have a magic power of dispelling evil or bad spirits, therefore, they often used these instruments for their ritual ceremony and funeral services.

Cymbals – (Chèèq)

Cymbals are indigenous to Asia and are made from copper and nickel alloys. They have a unique form, concave, funnel-shaped on one side and convex bowl-out on the opposite side like woman nipple with a long string serving as handles. Cymbals were the only permanent idiophones of the Temple orchestra. When the two cymbals crashed into each other, they produce a bright, crisp, and explosive tone. The origin of cymbals is believed to be from China as well as the gong, and it is widely used throughout Asia.

Typically, the Khmu people used cymbals to accompany gongs for the New Year parades, Greh celebrations, annual ritual ceremonies (tèèq môn), new rice festivals, and agricultural rituals. Furthermore, in some parts of Southeast Asia their ancient belief of dispelling evil spirits. Therefore, the Khmu used gongs and cymbals for ritual blessings or calling upon good spirits for a sick individual (pua hm-maal rw kw-eey hm-maal) and funeral services. During a funeral service, the cymbals will be used along with gong when the dead body is carried out of the house to ensure the evil spirits do not linger behind.

Written By: Steve Sengaroun

Reference sources:
www.britannica.com/art/Southeast-Asian-arts
www.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Khmu_musical_instruments
www.kinkgong.bandcamp.com/album/gongs