Goa shows its true spirit of harmony and togetherness by celebrating a festival that had originated from gory battles and fights. It is celebrated every year, on the 4th Saturday of the month of August and is known as the Bonderam festival. It is one of the major festivals of Goa.
History of Bonderam Festival
During the Portuguese era, great animosity existed between the two main wards of Divar Island village, namely Sao Mathias and Piedalda. The two sides were constantly engaged in battles and petty fights over the ownership of land. When the feuds seemed to get out of hand, the Portuguese government authorities came up with a plan to safe guard the land limits of each side. They set up colorful flags all around the land boundaries of the two sides, thereby marking them separate from each other.
But their ingenious plan had little effect on the two sides. The villagers decided to knock down the flags using stones. Today however, the two sides live harmoniously together, having reconciled their differences and hatred. They have even found the inspiration to use their ancestors' bloody dispute as a theme for conducting the famous Bonderam festival.
The Bonderam festival was originally celebrated as a mock remembrance of the petty squabbles that the villagers belonging to the village used to indulge in. But today, its popularity has grown to such as extent that locals, tourist and travelers from all parts of the world come to the village to enjoy and participate in the celebrations of the Bonderam festival.
Celebration of Bonderam Festival
The actual celebration of the Bonderam festival starts early on Saturday morning. Melodious music and a sense of excitement attract tourists in hordes to witness the unique celebrations. By noon time, different floats can be seen being paraded down the main street of the village by the two rival sides. Each side does its best to outdo its competitor by making their floats larger, bigger and more eye catching.
The carnival procession is cheered on by visitors who stand on both sides of the road. You can also engage in some of the friendly and mock fights that are enacted out in remembrance of the actual battles fought in the area centuries ago. The toy weapons used for this purpose are known as 'Fotashes', made from bamboo stems.
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