Carnival in Goa

Origin

While the roots of the Carnival in Goa date back to the introduction of Roman Catholic traditions during the Portuguese conquest of Goa, being celebrated since the eighteenth century, the festival itself fell into obscurity during the later days of colonialism, as Portugal's authoritarian regime known and is celebrated on the same day as Portugal Estado Novo limited freedom of assembly and press.

After the end of Portuguese rule, the Brazilian version of the festival was imposed by Timoteo Fernandes in 1965, a Goan musician who modeled it after the famed Rio Carnival. This was done to attract more tourism. Today, the urban parade includes floats from local villages, commercial entities, and cultural groups. It is still organised in a very traditional manner, including by the staging of streetside local plays called Khell tiatrs, in various villages, especially in the taluka of Salcete. Live bands play traditional Konkani, Latin, and EDM music throughout the festivities. Streets become open dance floors, where locals and visitors groove to the beat of lively tunes. The traditional mask dances and performances by local artists also add to the celebration. Beyond the parades, street performances, including acrobatics and fire-breathing shows are also held. According to the Government of Goa's Department of Tourism, the carnival is "Goa's most famous festival and has been celebrated since the 18th century."

The Carnival usually starts off on Fat Saturday (known as Sabado Gordo) and concludes on Fat Tuesday (known as Shrove Tuesday), just before Ash Wednesday and the first day of the Western Christian season of Lent, observed by Christians of the Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican denominations, among others. In Panjim, the capital of Goa, the festival is complemented by Grape Escapade, a local wine festival, and a dance at Samba Square in the centrally located Garden of Garcia da Orta.

According to local tradition, during Carnival Goa is taken over by King Momo, usually a local resident who presides over the festival during the four-day span. King Momo traditionally proclaims the Konkani message (English: "Eat, drink and make merry"). In 2021, the King Momo for the Goa Carnival was Sixtus Eric Dias from Candolim.