Indicative of the increasing diversity of the multicultural Golden West, Orana Regional United Malayalee Association (ORUMA) Dubbo, successfully hosted their annual 'Onam 2024' cultural festival recently.
Onam is a vibrant festival of culture and heritage from the southern state of Kerala, India, and an important harvest festival celebrated by Malayalees worldwide.
Commemorating the life of the mythical king Mahabali the festival is marked by colourful decorations, traditional music, dance, and sumptuous feasts.
This year’s local event kicked off with a series of board games, including a painting competition for children, a chess tournament for kids and adults, and a carrom (a table-top game of Indian origin) championship for adults and kids.
The Onam celebration also includes cricket and soccer tournaments and a Family Fun Day in the St Mary's School ground, with locals participating in activities like lolly picking, ball races, musical chairs, and a tug-of-war competition.
The winner of the tug-of-war received goat meat, which was later used to prepare a delicious biriyani for the community. Other delicacies included a pickle-and-rice dessert competition that attracted 25 families able to showcase their culinary skills. The auction of these delectable treats also raised a total of $1047 for the community.
ORUMA also organised a women's throwball tournament dedicated to the memory of Sherin Alexander, a beloved community member who passed in a tragic accident early this year.
The cricket tournament for men and a mixed soccer game further added to the festive atmosphere.
Highlight of the Onam celebration was, however, the grand stage event held at Dubbo Christian School in late September. The event featured numerous cultural performances by children and adults, including dance, skits, and traditional Onam dances. The day concluded with a sumptuous feast of 23 traditional dishes, a true culinary delight.
As the Onam celebrations ended, the community members expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to connect with their roots and celebrate their culture together.
The success of ORUMA's Onam festival has left everyone eagerly anticipating the next year's celebrations.
