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Celebrating Sinhala and Tamil New Year
This week we've been celebrating Sinhala and Tamil New Year at BestStart Tory Street. This is one of the well-known cultural festivals that Sinhala and Tamil people in Sri Lanka and Indian people who are from Tamilnadu celebrate as their New Year.
Our tamariki were curious about celebrating this cultural festival and learning about Sinhala/Tamil New Year. We had several mat times to discuss about the celebration and the idea behind the festival and children were able to explore more about these cultural differences and values while expanding their belonging within a wider community which emphasizes as expected holistic development for children as required by the New Zealand Early Childhood curriculum.
Our tamariki were able to see and learn about different cultural outfits that Sri Lankan and Indian people wear on the new year day. They loved learning traditional Sri Lankan drumming which is known as traditional "raban padha". Moreover, on the day of celebration they made 'milk rice' (Kiribath), a traditional meal in Sri Lanka, with their teachers. Some of the parents tried this delicious food and asked for the recipe too. It was great to see that children and their families feel a sense of belonging here at BestStart Tory Street.