It is a time for Hmong people to come together, to thank ancestral spirits and even pursue courtship.

See Vang, executive director of the Eau Claire Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association, said the Hmong New Year was traditionally a time to celebrate the completion of the harvest.

Though some of its purposes in American society have changed, it remains one of the most important celebrations in Hmong society, said Vang.

All students and community members are invited. Scheduled events include folk songs, traditional dance performances, crafts, food vendors and traditional Hmong ball tossing, he said.

The ball tossing was originally part of a courtship ritual, Vang said.

Older boys and girls threw a soft black ball back and forth to the person they planned to married. In some cases, a player who dropped the ball had to sing a traditional Hmong song or give a gift to their partner, according to the www.laofamily.org/culture/hmongculture2.htm Web site.

New Year’s celebrations were important for courtship and family reunions in Laos because mountains and rural distances often separated people who lacked modern communication and transportation, Vang said. The celebration traditionally lasted up to 15 days so that people had time to travel to it.

“Year around, that was the only time the youngsters could get together to do courtship, dating, talking and tossing the ball,” he said.

Since Hmong youth in the United States have greater opportunities to meet, the ball tossing this weekend will be more for preserving the tradition than for actual courtship, Vang said.

Wisconsin weather also affects the celebration. In Laos, New Year celebrations are held outside, he said.

But because Wisconsin is colder, they are held indoors here.

Tickets for the dance are available through the Hmong Mutual Assistance Association and at the door.

For more information, contact the Hmong Mutual Assistance Association at 832-8420.