Karen Cultural Ritual & Youth Engagement with Community

On August 11th, 2018 OKYC hosted a monthly activity at St . Vicent Massey Park for all day. This activity is based on bringing back the Karen youth all around Ottawa area and to decrease the Karen youth's social isolation. This event was to acknowledged, and reminded the youth and the community of their cultural and traditional ritual that had been passed by the elderly from generation to generation.

This cultural ritual is known as Wrist Tying Ceremony, it is usually happen during the month of August. This ritual is to be perform by the elderly within the Karen community and everyone is welcome the joined. The meaning of wrist tying ceremony is to bring back our spirituals that has been gone, and to wish everyone a healthy and joyful life. There are many more meaning and details to this ritual performance, but the purpose of everything is to engage the Karen community and wish everyone a joyful and healthy life.

The youth and the community had picnic day together, and enjoyed delicious dishes made by our volunteers.

There were games prepared for the kids, volleyball tournament for the youth and parents, and many others sports activities such as Badminton and Chin-lo.

It was a hot summer day, but everyone enjoyed the food, the games, and enjoyed each other company throughout the day.

We also had the Burmese community joined our events and participated.

By Admin