The pursuit of heritage and identity can lead us anywhere, and for fifteen-year-old Qiran Arrison and her mother, Nicole, that journey points all the way to Palermo, Sicily. A journey they’ve been baking, cooking and selling towards making a reality.
Cape Town, South Africa (06 November 2025) – Understanding our roots and heritage is a crucial aspect of discovering who we are and what contributes to our identity. For some, the journey to uncover these details begins at the nearby doorstep of their grandparents, while for others, it takes them to the opposite side of the world.
Fifteen-year-old Qiran Arrison may be born and bred in Cape Town, but her family heritage is all the way in Palermo. The capital city of Sicily in Italy is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and diverse architecture blending Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and Art Nouveau styles.
With a dream to one day step foot on this historically rich land, Qiran, with the help of her mother, has been hard at work in the kitchen to make it a reality, one scrumptious treat at a time.
Over the past few months, the duo has sold lasagna lunches, baked cookies after church, run small community fundraisers and launched a crowdfunding campaign to help gather the funds for their journey to discovering and connecting with their ancestral roots.
“The response has been heartwarming proof of how generous people can be when they see a dream worth backing,” shares mom, Nicole.
“Family legend says Sicilian blood runs through our veins. Gamba blood. Ma Joyce swore it, and judging by her temper and little patience, we kinda believe her. This isn’t just a trip; it’s a homecoming of the heart.”
Nicole and Qiran hope to soon finalise their visa applications and become one step closer to walking the old streets, getting lost in Ballarò Market’s colourful chaos and maybe even finding a cousin with matching mischievous eyebrows!
Sources: Supplied
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