SENIORITY

Saturday brought with it another chance to celebrate Chines New Year. Word on the street was there was to be a festival and celebration at the SLC Library. So Kday and I decided it was best to participate. A festival.... not so much. A program was more like it. After an hour of minding her manners and enjoying the song and dance, Buca was finished. It wasn't the the performances though that impressed me as much as the culture. I greatly appreciate and desire to include the some of the fundamental values of this old culture into Buca's life.

The auditorium was packed, not an empty seat in the house. Yet,  as a mother carrying a child and I walked in to find standing room only, I was quickly offered a seat by a young person. I noticed the same scenario each time an elderly person was noticed to be standing. Young children and teenagers were quick to sacrifice their comfort for those of a respected elder. That is a value that American's have vastly neglected to teach our youth. I also noticed the deep family connection and modesty. All things I planned on promoting with our family anyway, I can't help but wonder if they will be more openly received if it's coming from a place of Buca's heritage instead of "because mom and dad said so!"

The dragon is called a Totam and it symbolized the great diversity and acceptance of differenced among their culture. The Totam is created from many different animal parts including cat fish wiskers, eagle talons, a lions mane, and a fox tale to name a few...

Their performances are not just for show, but they always tell a story. This is one of water and a new life that spring creates.

I fell in love with their music too, it makes me feel like I'm on vacation or in a movie or something :)

My dad speaks Mandarin Chinese and he's been singing to Layla lately and teaching her a little of the language and I love it! It is a small part of her history, but one that I believe is worth keeping around.