During the ten-day celebration people return to their
ancestral homes and the little villages and towns hum with
excitement, as various ceremonies are observed. Dewali is
celebrated as the victory of good over evil and effigies
of Narkasur are burnt throughout the state. The Shigmotsav
is the local version of the festival of Holi , which is
celebrated for one week.
The Goa Carnival
Carnival in Goa is a non-stop 3-day festival of color,
song and music, providing a healthy entertainment for all,
young and old. The soothing climate, full of fun- 'n' -frolic,
which the Carnival generates, is much longed for. It does
not matter whether one enjoys or see others enjoying. There
is enthusiasm and happiness all around.
Meaning behind the Carnival
The word 'carnival' is said to be derived from the Latin
'Carne', meaning meat, and 'Vale', which translates to 'good-bye'.
Some also link the word to 'Carnislevamen' or 'the pleasures
of meat', focusing on the enjoyment of meat 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 honor 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 carnival epitomizes the fun-loving culture that is
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.
It was also an occasion for unchecked eating. People gorged
on rich food at lavish feasts, and convents distributed
cakes and pastries. Though celebrated for only three days,
the preparations for the festival would take many days,
and build up to a frenetic pitch by the eve of the carnival.
The carnival in Goa still retains the core of the original.
A King of Chaos is elected, called King "Momo".
He presides over the three-day festivities, which attract
visitors from all over India and abroad.
In Goan villages, however, the festivities have a more
indigenous flavor. Though celebrated by the Christian population
of Goa, the carnival's only relevance 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 the religion.
