The Khaudo Festival is a new year celebration celebrated by the Zomi, an ethnic group from Burma. This afternoon I attended the 2010 Khaudo Festival organised by the Zomi Association of Australia for the Maroondah community.

The Khuado Festival is an important annual event that is celebrated throughout the Northern Chin State of Burma, Manipur State and Mizoram State, India during the end of October or early November. The celebration includes dance, music and the sharing of good, with an emphasis on welcoming the new harvest and year.

The Zomi Association of Australia organised the Maroondah Khuado Festival to share the Zomi cultural heritage with the wider community. The Zomi welcomed the wider community through the Khuado Festival and we have been able to welcome the Zomi community into Maroondah.

The festival showcased traditional Zomi dance, music and food throughout the afternoon and I congratulate the Zomi community hosting the Maroondah Khaudo Festival.