Ban Mae Khun Wak

Ban Mae Khun Wak is a small and calm Hmong village suitable for tourists who are interested in Hmong life. To study Hmong life is relaxing which is how you can take a break from the busy downtown and get to live among nature. Not only the simplicity of Hmong that attracts tourists, but their traditional New Year’s celebration also has its own beauty and cuteness. The New Year’s celebration or New Year’s tradition takes place annually at the end of the harvest season which is a very cheerful festival for the Hmong and is to celebrate the success of harvesting of each year. The celebration contains worshipping spirits of sky, forest and house who provide them protection, happiness and agricultural products throughout the year. Each village would celebrate all together at the same time on the date and time they prefer which is frequently in December. This New Year’s celebration of Hmong is called “Noj Peb Caug” which literally means “Eat Thirty” based on lunar calendar counting from first to 30th day (Lunar calendar divides each 15th day into full moon and new moon). 30 days are counted as one month; therefore, the last day (30th) of the last month (12th month) of the year is considered as New Year’s eve. Hmong New Year celebrations normally occur from November to January. On the day, the leader of each family would perform a religious ceremony for luck. 3 days after New Year’s eve which are the first, second and third day of the first month, they will officially have a New Year’s celebration which is the period when everyone stops doing all their work and plays games such as playing spinning tops or singing Hmong songs in the festival. Hmong New Year’s celebrations are held by every Hmong group around the world. The characteristic of the Hmong is their colorful costumes.