Fantastic ‘Teeyan’ Festival Held At Havering Asian Social Welfare Association.

11th August 202511th August 2025 Francesca Lilleystone Elm Park, HASWA, Teeyan Event min read

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Last Thursday 7 August ladies from across Elm Park attended a very special Teeyan Festival at Havering Asian Social Welfare Association (HASWA).

HASWA are an incredible charity who support many right across the borough and have their doors open to all. Anyone who attends the small Elm Park venue, is always greeted a big smile from Manjit and never leaves without food! This is an incredible team who truly look after all who enter their doors and many right across Havering.

The Teeyan Festival was celebrated with songs, dancing, poetry and food. This is a traditional Punjabi festival which celebrates sisterhood and the monsoon season and the event was organised by Manjit Singh, Project Development Officer and HASWA staff. The event is strictly female and there were approximately 70 women including special guest Councillor Stephanie Nunn who welcomed everyone.

Councillor Stephanie Nunn with Manjit Singh

The Festival is traditionally held after the monsoon and focuses on daughters sisters, and mothers. A time when families and friends who lived far and wide get together to celebrate . The Festival is now a joyous annual celebration with very lively dances and ‘giddh’a performed by all generations. Poetry is read and there is a lot of singing.

Manjit told the Havering Daily: “We were very pleased that Councillor Nunn could attend as our special guest, she always gives us strong support and is a good friend to HASWA. The event was a huge success, and no one wanted to go home.”

Councillor Nunn complimented the women on their beautiful clothing, joined in with the dancing and picked the raffle. The songs bought much laughter, but as they were in Punjabi she didn’t know how naughty they were!

A lovely friendly afternoon was had by all.