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Start with the clothes. Tet Nguyen Dan, the Vietnamese celebration of the Lunar New Year, is a magical time when misfortune is forgotten, and starting anew is a matter of cleaning house (be careful while sweeping), and getting a new wardrobe (preferably something red) because this may be just what it takes to chase out last year's demons while welcoming good health, fortune and abundance. Vietnamese community
prepares Tet feteBy Nancy Arcayna
narcayna@starbulletin.comIn Vietnam, Tet is celebrated for seven days; here we celebrate for three days, explained Rev. Thich Thong Hai, president of Chan Khong Monastery.
On a patio adorned with dragons, pagodas and a life size statue of Quan Am, the goddess of mercy, eight girls synchronize their steps as they practice for the new year festivities Sunday at Kapiolani Park. The monastery, at 1105 Hind Iuka Drive in Waialae Iki, provides a place year 'round for learning and perpetuating Vietnamese culture.
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The non ala, or Vietnamese conical hat, is used while dancing. "The hat is used for everything in Vietnam. Girls wear them to school. And, they are used for protection from the rain or sun," said Truong. The girls also don an ao dai, the traditional Vietnamese style dress. Tuas, or long sheer scarves, add color and are a representation of femininity, explained Nga Truong, a member of the dance troupe, which is a part of the Ni-Lien Vietnamese Buddhist Youth Association.The young women twist and turn to the rhythmic, percussive-like music, gracefully waving their tuas and twirling their hats, arranging themselves to form an S-shape that represents Vietnam.
"The song we will dance to at the celebration talks about New Year's and the welcoming of spring," said Truong.
Girls normally learn the Vietnamese folk dances by the age of 10, and normally perform when they are in their early teens. The youngest members of this group are sisters, 12-year-old Sandy Van and 14-year-old Lilly Van.
"We can practice better than them," said 10-year-old onlooker Ai-Lynn Nguyen, who is anxiously awaiting the day she can dance with the other girls.
Featuring folk dances, lion dances, cultural displays, food and music A Vietnamese Tet Celebration
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Where: Kapiolani Park Bandstand
Admission: Free
Call: 523-3336
"Dancing provides a sense of pride and happiness that can be shared with other people," said Michelle Muc Nguyen, another dancer in the troupe. "It reminds us of Vietnam, even though we are not there."
According to Hai, all New Year rules should be strictly maintained: for example, no crying and fighting are allowed. Otherwise, the whole year could be filled with ill fortune. Family members are supposed to buy new clothing from head to toe. Yes, even underwear. The colors black and white may not be worn.
"Yellow is worn for longevity and red is worn for good luck. Normally, these colors are worn to the temple and on New Year's Day" said Michelle Muc Nguyen. "We also give the reverend red li xi envelopes with three coins, representing luck, wealth and longevity," she added.
Also, everything must also cleaned prior to the New Year. "When I was young, my mother and father warned us not to sweep during the new year celebration. If you sweep, all the money will be gone," said Hai. "They sweep and put everything in the corner for the first three days, so they don't lose their good fortune."
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Ancestor altars are also set up in the households. "We believe if you don't have an altar, the young generation will not know where they came from. The young people grow up here (in America) and they don't know too much about the culture and traditions. So, we organize the dance groups and activities to keep them off the streets. We don't want them to loose their roots, said Hai."People come to the temple to get their good luck. They pray, chant, bring donations of li xi and get blessings from the monk. We spend at least $1,000 for flowers each year, so people can take them. Any object with a blessing becomes a holy object. Each year more and more people come. Some bring offerings of fruit and flowers to Buddha. Others come to receive blessings from the monk," he said.
Hai welcomes Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. "My philosophy is that we should not convert people from their own religions. I encourage them to maintain their own beliefs and practices. But, they can still come here on New Year's and get some good luck," said Hai.
'YEAR OF THE HORSE' HAPPENINGS
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Today
>> "53rd Annual Narcissus Festival": Chinatown streets will be closed to vehicles from 6 p.m. to prepare for lion dances and fireworks throughout the area, which will be lined with booths offering food and Year of the Horse merchandise. More food and cultural performances will take place at the Cultural Plaza from 5:15 to 11 p.m., with the Narcissus Court presented at 9:30 p.m.The festival continues at the Cultural Plaza from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, with demonstrations by the Rieta Chinese Kempo Karate School, Lin Shu Fang Chinese Folk Art Dance troupe, several physical culture and martial arts schools, another Narcissus Queen sighting at 8:30 p.m., and, in the midst of all this Chinese culture, one Portagee, Frank DeLima, at 6:30 p.m. Call 533-3181.
Tomorrow
>> Hawaii Kai Towne Center: The celebration begins at 11 a.m. with a martial arts exhibition and a competitive lion dance on poles. At noon, the Narcissus Queen and her court and the Physical Cultural Club present a lion dance with firecrackers. Don't miss the crispy won tons and fortune cookies at 1 p.m.Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center: A lion dance and firecrackers will greet the horse year at 5 p.m. in the Fountain Courtyard. Call 922-2299.
>> Town Center of Mililani: A firecracker show begins at 11 a.m. with lion dance teams performing at 11:15 a.m.; and martial arts demonstrations at noon. Enter to win li see (lucky money). Call 625-5233.
Sunday
>> Foster Garden: There will be a Chinese lion dance, Chinese plant and herb display, good luck scrolls, narcissus bulb carving and flower display, feng shui display, fortune reading sticks, food booths and more. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $1. Call Nathan at 522-7063.
Tuesday
>> Shaolin Warriors: This is the day tickets go on sale for the April 4 to 7 Hawaii Theatre performances of the Shaolin Warriors, described as the "Best kung fu show in the world." The Songshan Shaolin Martial Monks Troupe consists of 26 Buddhist monks who have mastered the art of hand-to-hand and weapons combat, demonstrating their techniques in a balletic display. Tickets are $18 to $43. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. with a 4 p.m. matinee on the 6th. The opening night performance will benefit the Palolo Chinese Home. Call 528-0506.
Feb. 16
>> Chinatown lion blessing: Lion groups will roam from store to store at Fort Street Mall and surrounding areas to bestow New Year blessings. 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Through Feb. 19
>> "Chinatown Images": The Hawaii Watercolor Society presents work with Chinatown themes at the ARTS at Marks Garage, 1159 Nuuanu Ave. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays. Call 521-2903.
Feb. 22
>> Chinese New Year Festival: A cultural celebration features the songs and dances of China at 7 p.m. in the Honolulu Hale Courtyard.
Feb. 23
>> Market City Shopping Center: Firecrackers and lion dance will help celebrants greet the lunar new year at 10 a.m. Following the ceremony, the lions will parade through the shopping center offering blessings to merchants and customers. Fortune cookies will also be distributed.
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