This week, Rep. Barbara Lee took to Twitter to celebrate Southeast Asian New Year and honor the resilience of California’s AAPI communities. In her tweet, she specifically wished Thai and Lao Americans a Happy Songkran, Burmese Americans a Happy Thingyan, and the Cambodian community Choul Chnam Thmey.
Lee’s statement comes at an important time as anti-Asian hate crimes continue to rise in the United States. According to Stop AAPI Hate, there were nearly 3,800 reported incidents of anti-Asian hate in the past year alone.
As such, Lee’s message of celebration and support for AAPI communities is especially poignant. By acknowledging and honoring these specific cultural traditions, she not only brings attention to their significance but also demonstrates solidarity with these often marginalized groups.
But what exactly are Songkran, Thingyan, and Choul Chnam Thmey? These holidays represent traditional new years celebrations in Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), and Cambodia respectively.
Songkran is perhaps the most well-known of the three holidays. Celebrated from April 13th through April 15th each year, it marks the beginning of the traditional Thai new year according to the lunar calendar. The festival is known for its raucous water fights on city streets as well as more solemn rituals that involve paying respect to elders by pouring water over their hands or Buddha statues.
Thingyan similarly marks the start of Myanmar’s new year with a four-day festival that falls around mid-April depending on when it aligns with astrological calculations. Like Songkran in Thailand, it involves plenty of water play – but also includes cleansing rituals such as washing away sins through symbolic acts like pouring out dirty water or scrubbing floors.
Finally, Choul Chnam Thmey takes place between April 13th -15th in Cambodia (although some regions may have slightly different dates). The holiday typically involves visits to temples, feasting, and family gatherings.
While these holidays may seem like just a fun excuse to splash water around or enjoy time with loved ones, they hold deep cultural significance for many Southeast Asian communities. They offer an opportunity to reaffirm traditional values and connect with one’s heritage in a meaningful way.
Moreover, as Lee notes in her tweet, celebrating these holidays is an important act of resilience for AAPI communities. In the face of discrimination and violence, honoring one’s culture can be a powerful way of resisting erasure and asserting one’s identity.
This sentiment is echoed by many members of the AAPI community who have spoken out against hate crimes in recent months. For example, in March 2021 actor Daniel Dae Kim testified before Congress about his own experiences with racism and discrimination as well as the need for more representation and empathy towards Asian Americans.
Similarly, actress Olivia Munn has used her platform to raise awareness about anti-Asian hate crimes on social media – including sharing information about organizations working to combat this issue such as Stop AAPI Hate.
Ultimately, Lee’s tweet serves not only as a celebration of specific cultural traditions but also a reminder that AAPI communities deserve respect and support year-round – not just during holiday seasons. By amplifying voices within these communities and highlighting their resilience in the face of adversity, we can work towards building a more inclusive society where everyone feels valued.