SWAN Hill’s Punjabi community is welcoming everyone to gather and celebrate Teeyan, the festival of women.
It’s monsoon season in the state of Punjab, India, which is where Swan Hill local Palwinder Kaur was born.
Many newly married women in Punjab are participating in festivities at their maternal house with family and friends.
But Ms Kaur, organiser of the upcoming cultural event, said Punjabi women living in Swan Hill would not have to miss out and could celebrate Teeyan within the community.
“During this time, we celebrate the rainy season, and newly married women go back to their parents’ house, where they receive gifts, have food, and there’s lots of singing and dancing,” she said.
“I’m glad that there are women in Swan Hill who don’t have to miss out, and they’re really excited to wear their best traditional clothing and jewellery to celebrate Teeyan this weekend.”
The event will be held in the Anglican Church on Saturday from 11am to 4pm, when there will be food and entertainment.
“The kids will be performing a dance and the adults are performing a traditional gita,” Ms Kaur said.
There will also be clothing and jewellery stalls run by Punjabi people from Swan Hill and Mildura as well as a henna art stall.
According to the 2016 Census, Swan Hill had more than 170 Punjabi speakers.
Ms Kaur said the event was also a way for Punjabi people new to Swan Hill to make friends and get to know the large Punjabi community.
“We have lots of Punjabi people in Swan Hill, but we also have some families who have just arrived to the area,” she said.
“I know of four Punjabi families who are saying they don’t know about the schools or kindergartens in the area for their kids.
“Young parents have a harder time navigating the school system for their kids because it’s a totally different education system India.
“Events like this help newer families get to know others in the community, and make it easier for them to know where things are in the area.”
She said the event was important for Punjabi children in the community.
“They are born here and some don’t speak the language at home,” Ms Kaur said.
“Being able to participate in the festivities gives them a chance to keep in touch with their culture.”
Ms Kaur said the event was open for anyone who wanted to enjoy a day of Punjabi culture, and encourages locals to don traditional Indian clothes if they had them.
“You don’t have to be Punjabi to attend,” she said.
“I have a friend who has been waiting to wear her saree. She just couldn’t find the right occasion to wear it.”
Tickets are available at the door at $35 for adults and $15 for children four years old and over.
