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| Hackett, a popular Karen singer and teen heartthrob, serenades the crowd |
The
Karen people have faced and are still facing severe persecution in Burma for decades. In recent years, many have found their way to Oakland as refugees. The Karen community in Oakland is active, holding concerts, cultural events and celebrations. Oftentimes these events present a great fundraising opportunity as money raised often goes back into the community, a community that has faced many barriers and struggles in Oakland.
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| Karen teens enjoying the concert |
On Saturday, January 7, 2012, the Karen Community hosted a concert in Daly City, CA showcasing the
Klo & Kweh music team, a well known group of rock/pop Karen singers from Burma. The crowd was ecstatic to see them, as enthusiastic audience members went on stage individually to bestow flower wreaths upon the artists during performances. The artists donned a mix of traditional garments with modern twists and sang alongside their Karen band.
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| flower wreaths to honor to the performers |
Nwe, Oo, CHAA's Burmese Wellness Advocate attended the event and expressed the joy that the local Karen community experiences when they are able to enjoy these types of performances. It is an escape oftentimes from a difficult life in Oakland, a way to lose themselves in music and song.
Photographs taken and edited by S. Nadia Hussain
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