Carnival In Goa

View of a Carnival float  View of a Carnival float

   Carnaval or carnival is another of the festivals that the Portuguese introduced to Goa. Although the nature of Carnival has changes over the years it still survives. The word carnaval ( Thats what it used to be called before) is derived from the latin word carne vale which means abstinence from meat. Carnival or carnaval is celebrated for four days starting with the saturday preceding lent.
   The main floats parade takes place in Panjim on Saturday called Fat Saturday. On that day King Momo reads his decree which entitled him to rule for three days and permitted all the people to have fun.
   After King Momo has read his edict, the floats parade winds it's way through Panjim, the float carrying King Momo's entourage leads the parade. Carnival is celebrate on a lavish scale in Goa, specially in the capital Panjim. This is possible because of State patronage as well as sponshorships by private companies keen to cash in on its poularity. The year 2008 marked international participation with a float from Brazil along with samba dancers took part in the floats parade in Panaji.
   Several of the carnival floats depict various facets of the Goan culture. A few years back a float depicted the popular folk theatre "Khell Tiatr" along with a huge procession of partipants wearing face masks of the actors that left an indelible impresssion on the Konkani stage.
   The float parade is also held in the other major towns of Goa as well. Calangute also started its float parade from 2007.

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