Redhawks celebrate Lunar New Year
Tuesday is Lunar New Year, one of the most important holiday especially for East Asians. Many students on campus are also celebrating this year. “Lunar New Year is a time when me and my family can celebrate just being able to be a family together,” sophomore Nathan Permana said. “I’ve always enjoyed being able to wake up and eat really good traditional New Year’s food.”
Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year is considered to be the most important social and economic holiday for millions around the world, Tuesday’s Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year) is a time to honor ancestors and deities, reflect on the old year, and bring forth a prosperous new year.
However, sophomore Zoe Langford believes that because most students have assimilated into American culture, many are indifferent to Lunar New Year celebrations.
“Compared to our parents and ancestors, we don’t hold our culture as close. Compared to our ancestors, they were more connected to their culture,” Langford said. “A lot of second-generation kids don’t actively try to forget their culture, but a lot of us forget our native tongues, holidays, and traditions.”
For science teacher, Chris Ham the day isn’t celebrated as much now as when he was younger.
“Speaking as a whole you start forgetting the culture because you aren’t as connected to it. But it also depends on when you came to America,” Ham said. “If you came here later in your life, you probably still have a connection to your culture, compared to if you came here at a younger age. I don’t really celebrate Lunar New Year at all anymore. My parents still celebrate, but pretty much since I left high school the whole experience diminished.”
I don’t really celebrate Lunar New Year at all anymore. My parents still celebrate, but pretty much since I left high school the whole experience diminished, — teacher Chris Ham
As a Korean immigrant, Ham acknowledges the day is a bigger celebration in Asia.
“In Korea, it was like the whole country was celebrating. Like in America, when it’s Christmas time, you feel the Christmas spirit, it is the same in Korea,” Ham said. “In America, Lunar New Year is usually just celebrated within your family, so you don’t feel the spirit as much as you would in Korea.”
In fact, Professor M.L. Hansen, a scholar addressing multicultural identity conflict, recognizes that “while the first-generation immigrant struggles to adjust, the second generation fights to forget.”
As a mixed Asian student, Langford can see a reflection of her own cultural identity in that statement.
“Being wasian does not hold a huge burden on my Asian identity,” Langford said. “But my family often integrates some of my other cultural identities into our Lunar New Year celebrations.”
Despite a less festive Lunar New Year, Ham still has fond memories of Lunar New Year celebrations.
“I always made food with my mom,” Ham said. “I like cooking, which is a surprise to some people. I just have fond memories of helping her. There is a lot of time and effort that goes into making Korean food, so it is very rewarding.”
Food is a very important aspect for all cultures celebrating the Lunar New Year. It is customary to serve dishes that are believed to bring good fortune. These dishes are different for each culture. The most common are dumplings and noodles, believed to bring wealth and prosperity.
In addition to a meal to look forward to, sophomore student Nathan Permana is thankful for family time, especially during the New Year.
“Lunar New Year is a time when me and my family can celebrate just being able to be a family together,” Permana said. “I’ve always enjoyed being able to wake up and eat really good traditional New Year’s food.”
Rin Ryu is a senior entering her third year of Wingspan. Her favorite things include journaling, listening to music, and tigers. In the future, she hopes...
