Photo provided by the Norfolk Malayali Association
The sights, sounds and flavours of Kerala, India, filled the Vittoria & District Community Centre as the Norfolk Malayali Association celebrated Aarpo’26.
Members of the association, along with friends from Norfolk County and Tillsonburg, gathered August 23 for the group’s annual Onam celebration.
Onam is an important harvest festival for people from Kerala, a state in southern India. Rooted in the story of King Mahabali, the celebration brings families and communities together through food, flowers, music and dance.
Aarpo’26 featured a traditional floral display known as a Pookalam and an Onasadya, a vegetarian feast featuring 24 items served on a banana leaf. Children and adults also took part in cultural performances, music and community games while wearing traditional clothing.
The volunteer-led Norfolk Malayali Association says months of preparation went into the celebration.
Organizers say events like Aarpo’26 help local Malayali families pass their traditions on to younger generations while sharing their culture with the wider Norfolk community.
Written by Jeremy Hall
