February 17, 2007
from Lenny Barretto in Panaji
for Daijiworld Media Network - Goa
Viva Carnival!
While images flashed on television screen shot in Brazil with scarcely-clad women posing on the floats may be a popular image about Goa's carnival. But the reality is much different. The reality is in contradiction to what general populace think about this much-hyped festival. It's an unique festival. nothing to do with obscene gestures or exposing bodies, but is a celebration of fun and a sort of rowdy celebration before the lent season.
Float parades are latest addition to these festivities while historically, the celebrations were restricted to Catholic dominated rural Goa.
The rustic form of this celebration is still witnessed in the rural goa. Intruz, as it is popularly called, was the celebration of fun, frolic and entertainment. The village band with singers used to go around playing in every household. The special brass band of local Church used to compliment it.
While the entire village used to usher in festivities, the festival had a touch of rowdiness. The rowdiness well within the limits of decency. One can call it as a lovable rowdiness. The people used to throw white powder on each other, called Cocati. It was a fun making rather than rowdiness.
The songs were played in the village. These songs were composed considering current happenings in mind. So, many of them were sarcastic too. After going around, the group of young hearts and youngesters used to go to the local church.
The folk drama, Zagor, was played during the festival. Later, Zagor turned into Khell tiatre. Zagor means awakening people.
During the time when mass communication system was almost absent, the Zagor used to educate people and entertain them too. All the celebrations used to happen at a place in village called Maand.
There are so many other traditions associated with this festival.
Post-liberation, the Carnival too got caught in the race to make money. Everyone wants to connect everything to tourism. Considering the uniqueness of this festival, the float parade was added to it. Now, Carnival has become the state festival.
So, while coming down to Goa to celebrate Carnival, please behind the expectations to see obscene things. The festival is a traditional one and Goa is proud of it.
Our special correspondent Ares adds:
Panaji: Goa's life will come alive to the festivities, frolic and fun for three days as traditional carnival celebrations begins in the state from tomorrow, February 17.
The traditional festival, which dates back to the 450-year-long Portuguese rule in the state, will have legendry King Momo, a mythological character, ordering his decree to eat, drink and merry.
Unique to Goa, the festival will also attract thousands of tourists, who will come down especially to witness the festivities. The state government, under the leadership of deputy chief minister Wilfred D'Souza, have formed a special committee to hold float parades in the four major towns of the state.
The float parade in the capital city tomorrow evening will herald the celebrations. The parade would be led by a specially designed King Momo's float sponsored by tourism department.
The carnival is meant to be a feasting-drinking-merrymaking orgy just before the austere 40 days of Lent season observed by Catholic population. The carnival concludes with the famous red-and-black dance held by the Club National in Panaji on the final day.
"We are expecting at least 40,000 tourists to visit the state only to see the carnival. These guests are in addition to the existing tourists," Fatima D'Sa, chairman, Goa tourism development corporation, stated. The GTDC have taken the lead to host the float parades.
Daijiworld's Coverage of Previous Carnival: