What is Chin Festival???
I used to teach English as a second language at American public schools from K-12 until last school year. Majority of my students were Japanese, but I had increasing number of Burmese students as well. The reason why we got so many Burmese in the area was because the local church sponsored Burmese Christian to immigrate to Michigan to save them from persecution. The control of Burmese military is oppressive, and I heard some comments and stories about their rough experiences in Burma. Nonetheless, your home country is forever your home country: You'd always love her. I heard more stories and comments about their dear friends home, delicious food, precious memories, and beautiful places... It must be hard to be away and not able to go back...
To remember the homeland and to pass down the tradition to the next generation, Chin tribe of the Burmese community holds Chin Festival every year. I attended the great event last night. This was my third time already, but this time was extra special for me because I got to see my former students since I left the school last year. Some were shy for it’s been a while. Some came talking to me as if time had never passed. Those who were filled with worries and frustration last year upon arrival to the new country were now looking confident and content. That was good to see! Some students grew up and matured so much I could not recognize them right away! There were as many reunions as there were known faces.
Traditional costume of Chin is so beautiful! (The picture shows a part of a skirt) Ladies and girls wear thick silver belts, with many strings of beads dancing below their knees. Men and guys wear white headgears, suits made with special woven fabric, or woven capes. Every year they have fashion shows, but they had little girls’and more mature ladies' fashion shows as well as young ladies' this year! Kids were cute and older ladies were really into it, acting like it was a comedy show. It was really fun. Then we were also entertained by traditional dances and songs. Songs were kinda like Japanese traditional songs (enka) and Japanese pop songs. They even provided us some red bean breads and cream breads just like the ones we eat in Japan. I was quite satisfied. I guess we Asians have something in common!
