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Diwali Celebrations 2023
Namaste, Sat Sriakal, here at Sunset we aim to celebrate our diverse cultures through responsive approaches and understanding and learning about our families’ cultural backgrounds and heritage, connecting families and creating more equitable opportunities for both children and families.
We celebrated Diwali with our tamariki, including Rangoli art, Henna for our hands and dressed up in bright colours and traditional clothing along with dance and music. Tamariki and Kaiako were treated to a special Diwali menu, authentic butter chicken, rice and flat bread made by one of our teachers.
Rangoli is the art of drawing images and motifs on the floor and walls of one's home using different colour powders. A Rangoli image stands for a sign of welcome. Tamariki enjoyed drawing and using different coloured powders. It is a belief that henna that is placed on the palms of the hand allows the bearer to receive and offer blessings.
Henna hands was fun for kaiako and tamariki. Children waited patiently and enjoyed a variety of designs on their hands. We had such a lovely turnout as tamariki and kaiako enjoyed learning more about Diwali. This valuable insight into learning about other cultures links to our New Zealand ECE curriculum Te Whariki and our centre's localized curriculum Te whare tapa wha linking to the pou taha whanau (families). It was a great opportunity to promote language, culture and identity.