Goa > Carnival |
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The Goa Carnival celebrated on the three days just before Lent, is an integral part of the Portuguese heritage of the state that was a dominion of Portugal till 1961. The carnival epitomises the fun-loving culture characteristic of Goa. It was introduced by the erstwhile rulers as a rowdy celebration in which flour, eggs, oranges, lemons, mud, sand-filled gloves along with dirty water, various liquids and glue were aimed at passersby. Used pots, pans and other kitchen utensils were also thrown out of windows. Perhaps this was done to discard the old and the dirty before the Lent fast. Fierce battles were waged in the streets with plaster-of-paris eggs, wax lemons, corn cobs etc. Blows with brooms and wooden spoons were dealt out liberally. It was also an occasion for unchecked eating. People gorged on rich food at A King of Chaos called King Momo is elected. He presides over the three-day festivities that attracts visitors from all over India and abroad. Street plays, songs, dances and impromptu skits mocking the establishment are performed before an enthusiastic and interactive audience. Various competitions are organised. Floats depicting popular lullabies and nursery rhymes make a whimsical and colourful addition to the streets. Cultural functions and competitions abound in the three days of revelry. These are judged by specially selected people and the prizes are distributed by King Momo. The contestants wear colourful costumes and elaborate masks. Amidst the outrageous dresses seen on the streets are some made of sheer, transparent polythene. In the fun-filled atmosphere, people smear colour on each other, instead of the flour, eggs, fruit and water thrown earlier. This could be an adaptation from the Holi festival of the Hindus. In Goan villages, however, the festivities have a more indigenous flavour. The only relevance the carnival has to Christianity is that it is celebrated before Lent. The festival today has no religious undertones and has come to be a cultural highlight of the state rather than of religion. |
The Festival of Merry-Making - this colourful three-day Goan festival, celebrated just before Lent, personifies fun and frolic. The word carnival is said to be derived from the Latin ‘caro’ meaning meat, and ‘vale’, which translates to 'good-bye'. This evolved to become carnivale. Some also link it to carnislevamen or 'the pleasures of meat', focusing on its enjoyment during the festivities, before the abstinence that follows during Lent. Another hypothesis suggests that the word came from carrus navalis, the horse-drawn, boat-shaped carriage that was paraded during the Roman festival Saturnalia, in honour of Saturn. It carried men and women in fancy dresses, wearing masks and singing obscene songs. It is possible that the present-day concept of a carnival emerged from this parade. The festivals were characterised by a total disregard for the normal.
lavish feasts. Even the convents distributed cakes and pastries. The carnival in Goa has retained the core of these festivities, while adapting and amalgamating it with the local culture. Though it is celebrated for only three days, the preparations start many days in advance,and build up to a frenetic pitch by the eve of the carnival. |
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