Yomari Punhi Celebration

Newa Cultural Society of Alberta (NCSA) welcomes you to participate in its 3rd annual Yomari Punhi cultural event.

Yomari Punhi is one of the most popular festivals of Newa people of Nepal. It is observed every year during the full moon of December.

Newa people celebrate Yomari Punhi worshiping Annapurna - the Goddess of grains - thanking her for good harvest and blessings by offering Yomaries cooked from freshly harvested crop of sweet rice.

Yomari is a unique cone shaped Newa delicacy. It consists of an external covering of sweet rice-flour and an inner filling of Chaku (molasses or brown cane sugar) mixed with fried sesame seed powder. It is very tasty, sweet and delicious and liked by people of all ages.

In the evening of Yomari Punhi, children and teenagers walk door-to-door in the neighborhood (like trick-or-treat during Halloween) asking for Yomaries. They sing about Yomari and give blessings to the lady of the household who offer Yomaries - praising her as a Lyase (beautiful girl) while teasing those who refuse by calling her Buricha (old lady).

Highlights of the Cultural Event

1. Yomari Punhi preparation and demonstration
2. Inauguration, Puja and Welcome
3. Remarks from the Guest(s)
4. Taste of Yomari and Chatamari
5. Cultural Programs (Dance/Quiz)
6. Newa Bhoye (Ethnic Dinner)

Event Registration Fee

1. Child under 5 years . . . . . . Free
2. Child 5 to 10 years . . . . . .  $10.00 (online registration) or $15 at the reception desk
3. Person 11 years and above . $20.00 (online registration) or $25 at the reception desk

Venue and Time

Saturday, February 06, 2016
5:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Duggan Community Hall
3728 106 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T6J 6M7