Onam – a Day of Unity

October 30, 2024
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| Agriculture & Farming Cooperative, Center of Development, Empowering Women, Food in India, Global Neighborhood, Health & Wellness, Life in India, Natural Resource Management, Reflections, The Grand Masala

As we gear up for the holiday season here in the US, it is just winding down in Kerala, where the Profugo Center of Development is located. The biggest holiday of the year falls right after the rainy season, somewhere at the end of August and the beginning of September, to commemorate the harvest. It is called Onam and there are many festivities to celebrate the day.

Onam is a day to celebrate unity and prosperity. What really impressed me about the holiday was how everyone really did come together and celebrate. You can almost feel this current of good energy in the air. Although the holiday is based on Hindu teachings, Christians and Muslims in the state also participate in the festivities. One tradition that really got everyone excited was the creation of the pookalam.

A pookalam is an intricate geometrical pattern on the ground made out of flower petals, like a floral rangoli. There are multitudes of flowers in every shade bursting out of the landscape following the rains. I remember walking down the road or riding the local bus and smelling the bouquet of aromas.

Setting up the spot for the pookalam is serious business though. Rulers and compasses come out to make sure all the angles and shapes are equal and proportional. Chalk is used to outline the design. Once this is finished, the flowers are collected. Orange marigolds, white jasmine, purple and pink hibiscus, yellow daisy, the elegant lotus, and so many more! Every household has a pookalam on their doorstep. The community usually holds a pookalam competition. Whether an amateur or professional, the community admires and respects each one. It is a tradition I have brought home with me. Every year me and my kids create our own pookalam here in Pennsylvania with what petals remain at this time of year.

Another very important Onam tradition is the sadhya. As with most holidays, food is a crucial part. Everyone should try the traditional Sadhya. It is a culinary feat. Served on banana leaves, there are a variety of small dishes with rice being the staple in the middle. Most dishes include vegetables, coconut, yogurt, and lentils. Words cannot do the Sadhya justice, it has to be experienced. I remember my first Onam in Wayanad with the Profugo community. I was invited to a few houses as everyone was eager to share this holiday with a newcomer. The Sadhya was so delicious at the first house so I ate a lot. Little did I know, every house had a full banana leaf waiting for me. It would be disrespectful not to eat what was prepared for me, so I ate three full Sadhyas. I can safely say I have never had a meal so delicious and been so full in my life. The following Onam I had learned my lesson and paced myself at each house.

With food and decor covered, we need to address the dress. There is a traditional saree that is worn on Onam. Every woman puts on her cream colored saree with a green and gold trim. The last touch is a sprig of jasmine in the hair. Men and children wear new and freshly pressed clothes. This way you look elegant and smell lovely while devouring your Sadhya. Just be careful not to spill.

Different regions in Kerala have their own unique games and festivities to celebrate the day. Most communities have time honored dances specially for Onam. In Wayanad, there is a traditional bow and arrow contest, which emphasizes skill and precision. On the coast and on the backwaters, there are boat races. Children throughout the state play tug of war and other games for a day of enjoyment.

Although Onam was celebrated on September 15th this year, I encourage you to create a pookalam with loved ones, if petals are hard to find, you can use leaves as they change color for the fall. If you can find some southern Indian food, ask them if it is possible to make a Sadhya-like meal. You will not be disappointed. At the very least, embrace the spirit of inclusion and unity that is honored on Onam.