Asian Women's Association hosts annual Celebrasia event

St. Catherine University’s Asian Women’s Association (AWA) hosted its annual Celebrasia event on the night of November 23. This annual educational event celebrates a multitude of Asian cultures within the St. Kate’s community. “To me,” said AWA co-chair Jasmin Yangwaue ‘21 (Political Science), “the importance of Celebrasia is to bring the community together to celebrate all the different Asian cultures and to inform people about the different Asian cultures' clothing, performances, and food.” The celebration’s theme was flowers found around Asia. 

The Celebrasia event included performances by St. Kate’s students, as well as groups from the local community. The performances highlighted a variety of Asian cultures, including Hmong, Indian, Japanese, Karen, and Korean cultures. The event was broken up into two acts with a short intermission.

The first half of Celebrasia consisted of three performances. It began with a story by Kasua, Japanese dances from Sansei Yonsei Kai, a traditional Karen dance from the Karen Buddhist Temple of MN, and a Hmong song by Douachi Yang. Sansei Yonsei Kai invited the audience to learn a circle dance, which furthered the AWA’s mission to educate the community on Asian culture.

Dancers from the Karen Buddhist Temple of MN performing a traditional Karen dance.

The two acts were broken up by an intermission with a small dinner. Volunteers served dishes from various Asian cultures. During the break, the AWA put on a fashion show for the audience to watch. Those who participated in the fashion show wore traditional outfits from their own Asian cultures. The audience got a glimpse of traditional male and female outfits from various Asian countries and cultures.

Models from the Asian cultural clothing fashion show.

Celebrasia’s second act entertained a variety of unique performances. The group K-Move performed a K-pop dance medley, performer Alfon Lee beatboxed, and a Hmong dance by Nkauj Hmoob Paj Ci was dedicated to Xy Lee, a victim of the Fresno mass shooting, which targeted a Hmong community. Zaynab Abdi performed a traditional Indian dance, Soaring Entertainment Crew danced to a pop music medley, Gem E. Fields delivered a spoken word, and, to finish the night, Ntxhais Nplooj Ntoos Zeeg performed a Hmong dance. 

Student performer Zaynab Abdi ‘20 (Political Science, International Studies, and Philosophy) spoke of the event’s personal significance. “I am a Yemeni Somali,” said Abdi. “I love my two mixed cultures and I love celebrating and showing who I am through the way I dress and present myself.”

Zaynab Abdi performed a traditional Indian dance.

A student dance party closed out the night, with songs from both pop culture and the many Asian cultures showcased throughout the event.

Students were drawn to the dance floor at the end of the night to socialize and dance to various songs.

The AWA is an active organization on the St. Kate’s campus. Their weekly Thursday meetings from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm in CDC Room 20 are open to all, and focuses on educating attendees on various Asian cultures. 

Join the AWA for their de-stress event on December 10 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. in the Student Organization Center, and look for their upcoming event with Civic Engagement regarding Asian women in politics. Contact the AWA at awa@stkate.edu with any further questions about their organization or upcoming events.