The annual Chin Cultural Festival is back and here to showcase the traditional cuisine, dances and clothing of the Chin Culture. The festival is tonight at 6 p.m. in the auditorium foyer with free entry.
“It’s very easy for us to get used to American culture,” Chin club president Esther Sung said. “A lot of kids don’t even know their own language anymore, so our theme this year is to keep our culture alive.”
Andy Plunkett originally created the Chin festival in 2011 and it has continued annually since.
“It touched my heart to see how many people were interested in our culture,” assistant historian Mony Par said. “[Plunkett] has invested so much and helped us create this event that the future generation of Chin students could carry on.”
The goal of the festival is to spread awareness about their heritage and where Chin people come from.
“I realized upon arriving here that a lot of people didn’t know the culture of the Chin people,” historian Tha Tin Fam said. “When we came here, we heard of the Chin Club, and we held a festival that allowed us to really showcase our culture and our clothing. I felt that, for the first time, I was appreciated for my culture.”
Growing up, Par felt recognized by her older classmates’ dedication to demonstrating her values and traditions.
“My inspiration to get involved in the Chin Cultural Festival would definitely have to be seeing the older generation of chin students showcasing our culture which not many people are very familiar with,” Par said. “It’s a great opportunity that benefits not only us Chin students, but for others to learn the traditions and customs of our Chin culture.”
Chin club strives to create a space for students to feel welcome and comfortable in their culture. The club presents students with an opportunity to share their culture and keep it prominent within their beliefs.
“It’s very important to keep reminding ourselves that culture is very important, especially in a country like America,” Sung said. “I just hope this year, people gain an appreciation for our culture and traditions.”
