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Fact File
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Venue : |
Throughout Goa |
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Time : |
February
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Duration :
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Three Days |
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Significance :
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A celebration of fun
loving culture of Goa |
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About
Carnival :
Goa Carnival is the most awaited festival of Goa, which is
celebrated here since the 18th century. The three-day non
stop festival of colour, dance and music provides complete
entertainment to the participants. Although the festival is
mainly celebrated by Christians of Goa, but it also has some
touch of the Hindu traditions and western dance forms.
Originally initiated by the Portuguese as a celebration for
the local people, the festival has now crossed the state
boundaries and draws thousands of people from all over
India. The Goa carnival still retains its original charm, as
just like older days a King of Chaos is elected, which is
called King Momo. On the opening day King Momo orders his
subjects to party. The three days and nights of the carnival
is meant for feasting, drinking, merrymaking and several
other activities. Huge colourful parades take over the
cities of Goa with bands, dances and floats out night and
day on the streets. The carnival ends with the red-and-black
dance organized by the Club National in Panaji, which is
must not be missed event. |
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Origin of the Word Carnival :
The word carnival is believed to be derived from the Latin
words 'Carne' (meat) and 'Vale' (good bye), meaning 'to take
away meat.' Few people link the word to 'Carnislevamen'
which means 'the pleasures of meat'.
History of Goa Carnival :
The origin of the Goa Carnival can be traced from the
festivals of ancient Rome and Greece. It was started in the
Spanish and Portuguese colonies, by the erstwhile rulers as
a rowdy celebration in which eggs, lemons, flours, mud,
dirty water-filled gloves and various liquids were thrown at
passerby. In addition, other utensils like old pots, pans
and kitchen items were also thrown out of the house. The
streets had been transformed into a virtual battlefield with
the fierce battle of people, by the use of Plaster-of-Paris,
eggs, wax lemons, corncobs, beans and other items. Besides
the battle, the festival was also an occasion for unlimited
eating in which people gorged on cakes and pastries
distributed by convents. Started as a festival of rowdy
celebration, the Goa carnival gradually became famous for
activities like singing, dancing and drinking. |
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Activities during the Goa Carnival
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The first day of the festival starts with its main function
headed by King Momo. The function also known as Fat Saturday
evening, is marked by a huge procession of varied colour
floats. In the cheering ambiance, people use to smear colour
on each other. The three-day festival spell bounds the
people with cultural programmes and competitions.
Preparations for the festival begins in the months of
December and January. The participants wear their fancy
costumes and elaborated masks, especially designed for the
occasion. The winners of the competitions are selected by
specially appointed judges, while King Momo distributes the
prizes to the winners. |
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