Noj Tsiab (Pre-New Year) Celebration

media release: Please join us in the Noj Tsiab activities and share a meal together to reflect on the past year and welcome in the New Year.

The Hmong Institute is hosting the Hmong Noj Tsiab (Pre-New Year meal) Celebration on Thursday November, 16 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at 4402 Femrite Drive, Madison. Noj tsiab pronounced "naw chia" is the meal held the night before the Hmong New Year celebration begins.  Noj Tsiab and Noj Peb Caug (New Year celebration) are traditionally celebrated after the harvest season. The Noj Tsiab tradition constitutes ritual activities such as a hu plig (soul calling), lwm qaib (bless the new year while washing away all negative energy with the old year), giving thanks to the ancestor’s spirit for a good harvest and for keeping the family healthy. A meal or feast is then served to the family members. The Noj Tsiab meal is to reflect, give thanks for the past year, and enjoy a meal together. The Hmong New Year celebration (Noj Peb Cuag) is a time to celebrate by welcoming in the new year, wearing traditional Hmong clothes, and a time of courtship by playing "pov pob" (ball tossing).  The Noj Tsiab meal and New Year Festival enable the Hmong community to strengthen social ties and maintain cultural identity.

Cultural activities at the Noj Tsiab celebration will consist of a “hu plig” (soul calling) performed by a Hmong elder, musical performances and game competition.  Guests will be able to participate in the “tuav ncuav” activity (rice pounding to make Hmong mochi which involves turning sweet cooked into sticky rice mass (mochi) by using two large wooden hammers to pound on the cooked rice in a hollowed-out log). The sticky rice mass (mochi) is formed into pancakes, grilled, and dipped into molasses before eating. Elders will play the traditional game of “pov pob” ball tossing and have a fashion show to showcase the different Hmong clothes. Hmong clothes tell what region of Laos you are from and what dialect you speak.  Elders will  play traditional Hmong musical instruments such as the “ncas” jaw harp, and sing “kwv txhiaj,” a traditional Hmong poetry song.

Please register by going to https://tinyurl.com/yuw6fucc