From Burma to Atlanta:
 

Photos of resettlement of refugee families from Burma

Resettlement: Arrival | Orientation | Casework | Children | Volunteers   Events: Karen New Year | Chin Festivals | Burmese Thingyan | Karenni deeku

Culture: Food | Craft & Clothing | Tradition & History | Worship | Sports | Sharing    Stories: Nuag Reh, a Karenni elder

Every year the Karenni celebrate the festival called deeku named for the leaf-wrapped sticky rice that is cooked in large amounts at this time. Though they have not yet been able to do so in Atlanta yet, the traditional festival is held with large group dances around sacred poles.  In addition to traditional music on flutes and drum, the celebration also looks forward to the new year with forecasts made in the reading of chicken bones

Deeku is a sticky rice wrapped in leaves that is a symbol of the Karenni people; wrapped in bundles of three representing the three family lineages of the group. Traditionally, this was a slow-to-spoil food carried by soldiers who thus didn't have to cook on a fire and risk sightings by enemies. Traditional music of the Karenni is made on panflutes and a two-tone gong.
The jaunty music on bamboo flutes and cowhide drum called daw taw oh peelo is a part of any Karenni celebration such as weddings, church events, and the deeku festival Traditional music of the Karenni is made on panflutes and a two-tone gong.