Shigmo Festival | UPSC | Why In The News ?
The Goa government has limited the Shigmotsav (Shigmo festivities) parades to three locations only (Panaji, Ponda and Mapusa), owing to rising cases of Covid-19 in the state.
About Shigmo Festival :
- Shigmo is the celebration of a ‘rich, golden harvest of paddy’ by the tribal communities of Goa.
- It is a vibrant celebration full of colour, song and dance rooted in Goan culture and traditions.
- Agricultural communities including the Kunbis, Gawdas and Velips celebrate the festival that also marks the onset of spring.
- Shigmo celebrations last over a fortnight in the months of Phalgun-Chaitra months of the Hindu calendar that correspond with March-April every year.
- The festival begins with ‘Naman’ that is the invocation of the local folk deities on the village ‘maand’ or the village stage to the beats of percussion instruments like the Ghumat, Dhol, Mhadle, and Tashe by the male folk.
- It is called the ‘romta mell’ that moves from one village to another.
- Folk dances like Ghode Modni (a dance of equestrian warriors), Gopha and Phugadi are among the many dances performed by the participating communities.
Two Variants of the Festival:
- Dhakto Shigmo: It is celebrated by the rural population, farmers and the labour class.
- Vhadlo Shigmo: It is of greater importance and is celebrated by everyone
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Celebrations Time:
- Shigmo celebrations last over a fortnight in the months of Phalgun-Chaitra months of the Hindu calendar that correspond with March-April every year.
Other Names Of Shigmo Festival :
Shigmo is celebrated all over India but in different names:
- North India – Holi.
- Assam and Bengal – Dolyatra.
- South India – Kamadahan.
- Maharashtra – Shimga.
Agricultural communities In Goa :
- The Kunbis
- Gawdas
- Velips
Goa Folk Dances :
- Ghode Modni (a dance of equestrian warriors)
- Gopha
- Phugadi
