United Dashain (दशैं) Festival 2011

GREENSBORO, HIGH POINT & PIEDMONT COMMUNITIES, NORTH CAROLINA USA

UNITED DASHAIN is about bringing family and community together. Dashain is the greatest festival of the Nepalese diaspora which includes Bhutanese and Nepalese people living here in Greensboro and the Triad. Dashain is celebrated all over the world by people of Nepalese origin. The event brings all people together whether they are near or far from their homeland and unites them as one. It is a holiday of reconciliation and forgiveness. It enables families and communities to resolve past disagreements and differences and to end conflicts. Dashain represents the victory of good over evil.

FESTIVAL DAY PHOTOS ................ ............SPORTS DAY PHOTOS ................ ............ MORE SPORTS PHOTOS       
          

THIS PROJECT was made possible by a grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro and the help of FaithAction International House. Its continuing purpose has been to engage Bhutanese refugees and the Nepalese immigrants in dialog and shared activities. This first time joint effort took place in September and October 2011 under the direction of three community committees and the participation of the newly created Triad Nepalese Community Center. Over 500 participants (the total Bhutanese-Nepalese population numbers about 800 ) came together to plan, cook, dance, sing, play, compete, talk, eat, drink and celebrate.

Saturday, Oct. 8 Bhutanese and Nepalese soccer teams engaged in friendly competition in the spirit of unity at the Greensboro city soccer field near the NC National Guard Armory.

On Saturday, October 1, our Bhutanese Greensboro friends organized an event to celebrate Dashain at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit.

On Sunday, September 25, the first-ever United Dashain Festival featuring food, music and dance was opened to everyone at Greensboro's Caldcleugh Multicultural Arts Center.

We had a packed auditorium with Nepalese and Bhutanese community members coming and going throughout the afternoon. People came from as far as Charlotte and Raleigh to speak, perform and celebrate.

Food was an important part Everyone participated by organizing committees, transporting neighbors, helping in the kitchen or performing onstage. Families brought potluck dishes to complement the work of the food committee.

This first-time event succeeded beyond our expectations, with community members and guests coming from across the Piedmont. More than four hundred attended throughout the day. Whether rich or poor, refugee or immigrant, Bhutanese or Nepalese, everyone contributed.

Members of the Triad Nepalese Community Center showed their strong support of a united Dashain celebration through their attendance and program participation.

Learn about our culture and people. Share with us. The Nepalese and Bhutanese communities represent about one thousand immigrants and refugees in the Triad area. Nepal and Bhutan are mountainous states astride the famed Himalayas.