Thousands share traditions
They danced, they ate, they shared their cultures - and at least one of them wants to do it all again.
Thousands of people gathered in Palmerston North’s Square on Saturday in an explosion of colour, music, dance and food for the Festival of Culture’s main course.
New Zealand Arab Association (NZAA) North Island president Ahmad Al-jiab said the event, which had been lit to life on Friday night with a lantern parade, was such a success it should run twice a year.
‘‘It’s a great and happy day. We’re all Kiwi but we still remember our home countries, and we’re sharing with all ethnicities.’’
Many of the traditional costumes provided a bright splash of colour against the cluster of white tents, housing 100 stalls, at the Saturday food and craft market.
But Al-jiab cut a more subdued figure, in a long white flowing tunic (a thawb) and a red head scarf (keffiyeh), at the NZAA stall.
He discussed the history and traditions of Palestine, Iraq and Kuwait, with festival-goers stopping for some baklava, or the Middle-eastern sweet-cakes called basbousa.
Al-jiab said cultures live when people are talking, trading and sharing their traditions, which is what the Festival of Cultures celebrates.
Interacting with their traditions and opinions is how to understand other people, and that feeds into a larger, livelier New Zealand culture, he said.
‘‘[Then] we know each other, and as one people can come together as one culture.’’
Polish immigrant Basia Mcintosh had attended the festival for years, but this was her first time hosting a Polish stall.
Mcintosh said their pierogi proved popular. Three of the Polish ladies spent two nights making over 1000 of the traditional dumplings, and it proved to be only just enough.
Indy Dekker, 9, was intrigued by all the different musical performances on offer.
With a pink polaroid camera in hand, she was on the hunt to capture the costumes and dances of every country in the square snapshots her camera spat out.
She developed her latest photo, shaking her wrist to the rhythm of Samoan drums.
Sunday was also busy, with dozens of events at Te Manawa, including a puppet show and Henna art.
The Manawatu Multicultural Council held a fashion parade called ‘‘multi-clothes for multipeople’’.
Visitors could learn about national costumes and a range of natural fibres used to make clothing.