The Laotian, Kmhmu and Cambodian New Years were selected to bring light to communities that are often under-represented during the new year. Attention is usually placed on Chinese New Year despite the fact that other communities have traditions that are just as rich. In their native land and in the U.S., the Kmhmu celebrate the new year in November by eating traditional foods, singing folk songs, playing sports and dancing. Some community members perform a traditional sword dance, while everyone participates in the wrist-tying ceremony by fastening lengths of white string around the wrists of people they want to bless. The Lao community celebrates the new year in April to welcome spring.
People give shower blessings by pouring water over each other.
They also visit the temple in traditional attire, bringing food, gifts and blessings to the monks. Chaul Chhnam or Cambodian New Year is usually celebrated in mid-April. In Seattle, Cambodian Americans visit the temple in the morning to make offerings and in the evening to listen to a lecture on Buddhist religious texts. In past years, the Cambodian American community has rented larger sites than the temple to accommodate their new year celebrations. As the festivities proceed, entertainment includes traditional court dancing, folk dancing, and performances by local musicians and dance groups.