In Karnataka, people are pulling out their formal wear — suits, ties and gowns — and practicing their fox trot, jive and cha cha. Across the world, in Sydney, they are preparing to recreate the atmosphere of a village bazaar with food stalls and a mando troupe. In Bahrain, they are brushing up on their Portuguese dances and thinking up innovative costumes for the Carnival-like parade.
These preparations are being done for the World Goa Day (WGD) festival, typically held on August 20. WGD was started by the World Alliance of Goan Associations in 2000 to commemorate the anniversary of the inclusion of Konkani as one of the official languages of India. “It is a day for the Goan diaspora to come together and celebrate their identity and culture. I thought that by bringing them together to celebrate their heritage, it would [bring about] global Goan unity,” says UK-based Rene Barreto, the founder of the WGD celebrations.
Today, Goans in the United States, African region, the Middle East, the UK, Spain, Germany and Pakistan, get together for WGD. Each association has their own unique festivities, which may or may not happen on August 20 — in Melbourne and Toronto, it was on July 29; London, on August 6, and in Bahrain, it will be marked on September 8.
Community speak
The dates may differ but the festivities are similar. There’s always a picnic with food like sorpotel, sannas, and patoleo; games like bingo; traditional dances like the kunbi; and singing sessions featuring Konkani mandos and dulpods.
Some associations even have themes. This year, the Karnataka Goan Association (KGA) has decided on a typical Goan wedding. “The dress code is semi-formal and we expect people to come out in their Sunday best. The youngsters are practising their fox trot, jive and cha cha. There will also be food typically found at a wedding,” says Mafalda Quadros, president, KGA.
Last year, their theme was Sao Joao (a Christian festival dedicated to St John the Baptist) and the year before, they did a spoof on a Goan funeral — people came dressed in black and armed with fake tears. “We try and choose a theme that is intrinsically Goan but is also fun. We want the youth to participate in large numbers. This is their legacy to carry forward,” she adds. The KGA’s event on August 27 at the Kocchar Institute, Bengaluru will have fashion designer Wendell Rodricks as a special guest. A Konkani choir will sing the WGD theme song for the year, the hit single ‘Goenkarponn’.
In 2013, the Goinkars Own Academy (GOA) in Karachi had their own special musical performance — pop singer O’luv Rodrigues joined them in singing ‘Ami Goemkar’, from Goa, via Skype. “O’luv had a desire to perform in Karachi, so we came up with this idea. Our Goans loved it so we try and do it every year, connecting with different associations around the world,” says Deborah Santamaria, president, GOA Karachi.
Although there is no WGD event planned this year, the Karachi Goans usually have elaborate festivities. The day begins with Mass, followed by Konkani songs, skits, dances, tombola and bingo; the festivities go on through the night. “Events like these keep alive our culture, our cuisine, our mai bhas (mother tongue) and most importantly, it brings the community together,” adds Santamaria.
Drumming a new beat
As part of the festivities, Goan artist Billy Joe Fernandes (Billytoons) has created a banner depicting toddy tappers, coconuts, cashew, fishing, fisherwomen and the ghumot. The mud-baked percussion instrument, unique to the state, has become the symbol of this year’s celebrations.
On August 15, as part of the state’s own Goa Day celebrations, a Ghumotachem Fest was organised in Porvorim, Goa. “This instrument is made from the soil of the state and is a binding force for Goans around the world. It truly identifies you as a Goan, regardless of your religion or where you live. We want the ghumot to reach every Goan house, across the world,” says festival organiser, Marius Fernandes, who has been instrumental in sending the ghumot to Goan associations abroad.
The Californian Goans, or CaliGoans, had to create a special case so that they could transport the delicate instrument by flight. “Our club band Poco Locos used the ghumot when playing Konkani songs. It was also one of the accompaniments to the open mic singing contest,” says Joseph Lourenço, president, Californian Goans. The CaliGoans’ event on August 15 saw a Kunbi dance performance, live music, and a cooking session they were taught to make patoleos. “We wanted to bring the overall sights, smells, sounds, tastes of Goa to comfort those of us away from home. This is also a chance for the new generation to learn about their roots,” he says.
See www.facebook.com/groups/WorldGoaDayOfficial/ for more information on World Goa Day
