Lao American Culture Showcases at Lao New Year Across the U.S.
Lao Americans celebrate and promote Lao New Year
Lao New Year is a cherished and prominent cultural tradition for Lao Americans to reconnect with their roots and pay homage to their cultural heritage. Currently, there are about 300,000 Lao diaspora in United States, who migrated here as refugees since the 1980s seeking a better life. While they have embraced their new home and assimilated into American culture, the observance of Lao New Year allows them to safeguard their customs and traditions. It is a momentous occasion to commemorate their ancestors and the cultural history of their homeland, fostering a deep sense of pride and belonging.
The majority of Lao Americans have already celebrated Lao New Year last month in April at more than seventy temples and community centers across the country. The biggest celebration was held in Saginaw, TX on April 28–30, 2023 with over 20,000 people in attendance. The three-day festival concluded with the parade that drew large crowds and featured beautifully adorned floats depicting Lao cultural themes, and various organizations that engaged and entertained the people with pulsating music.
Lao New Year is an exceptional way for Lao Americans to cultivate and sustain a sense of community. It is a time for family and friends to come together, rejoice and bask in each other’s company. For some Lao Americans, this festivity is a rare opportunity to connect with others who share their language and culture, elevating the sense of camaraderie and inclusion. This social fabric of togetherness and kinship is particularly crucial for Lao Americans who may feel alienated or underrepresented in American society.
Additionally, Lao New Year is a venue for Lao Americans to raise awareness and showcase their culture and traditions. This year, the Mayor of City of San Diego attended the celebrations at Wat Lao Buddharam in San Diego, CA. In another city, the Mayor of Merced attended the celebrations at downtown Merced, CA. Their presence is symbolic of the significance of the Lao American representation in the wider community and promotes cultural awareness and acceptance across the country.
Cultural identity is a crucial component of an individual’s sense of self, and it becomes even more important to hold on to that identity while assimilating with American culture. The Lao diaspora have witnessed a plethora of challenges, including language barriers, adjusting to a new culture, and discrimination, which have taken a toll on their mental and emotional well-being in one form or another. One way to cope with these challenges is by maintaining a strong cultural identity, as evident in various Lao New Year festivities. By practicing the Lao New Year traditions, they preserve cultural heritage, foster community, and enrich the cultural tapestry that makes up America.
Ultimately, the commemoration of Lao New Year is a conduit for Lao Americans to pass down their cultural heritage to future generations. As Lao Americans integrate into American culture, the danger looms that their traditions and customs may fade away over time. Celebrating Lao New Year and inculcating their children with their cultural heritage is an assurance that their customs are preserved and transmitted from generation to generation.
According to Lao New Year 2023 and Reppinlaos, the popular social media sites dedicated to Lao New Year events, there are still locations that celebrate Lao new year in the month of May. Here’s the list of Lao New Year festivities in May:
Alabama:
May 12–14, 2023: Irvington, AL at Wat Lao Buddha Vihara
Arkansas:
May 05–07, 2023: Fort Smith, AR at Lao Buddhist Association Center at Wat Lao Buddharam
California:
May 07, 2023: Fairfield, CA at Wat Lao Buddha Parami
May 06-07, 2023: Stockton, CA at Wat Lao Buddhasuksid.
Colorado:
May 13, 2023: Westminster, CO at Wat Lao Sidaounnaram
Florida:
May 27, 2023: Pinellas Park, FL at Wat Lao Buddha Phavanaram
Georgia:
May 06–07, 2023: Conley, GA at Wat Lao Buddha Phothisaram
May 13–14, 2023: Balwin, GA at Wat Lao Buddharam Khambouneheuang
May 20–21, 2023: Alto, GA at Wat Lao Buddha Sattha Dhamma
Idaho:
May 20, 2023: Nampa, ID at Wat Idahophoxaiyaraam
Kansas:
May 26–28, 2023: Wichita, KS at Lao Buddhist Assoc. of Kansas
Minnesota:
May 06, 2023: Savage, MN at Lao Culture Dance Fashion of MN at Neisen Sport Bar & Grill
May 13–14, 2023: Forest Lake, MN at Wat Lao Vipassana Forest Lake
New York:
May 07, 2023: West Henrietta, NY at Watpa Lao Buddharam
North Carolina:
May 06–07, 2023: Lincolnton, NC at Wat Nikrodharam
May 06–07, 2023: Mount Gilead, NC at Wat Lao Buddhist Kotama
May 13–14, 2023: Morganton, NC at Wat Lao Sayaphoum
Ohio:
May 06–07, 2023: Columbus, OH at Wat Lao Buddhamamakaram
Oklahoma:
May 19–21, 2023: Oklahoma City, OK at Wat Lao Buddharam
Rhode Island:
May 13–14, 2023: Providence, RI at Wat Lao Buddhovath
Tennessee:
May 26–28, 2023: Murfreesboro, TN at Wat Lao Buddharam
Texas:
May 20–21, 2023: Irving, TX at Wat Dallas Fort Worth, Texas
Washington:
May 05–07, 2023: Kennewick, WA at Wat Lao Thammayanaram
May 13–14, 2023: Lake Stevens, WA at Watchansi Bodhiyana Ratanaram
May 20–21,2023: Woodland, WA at WatPa Lao Woodland
