Context
Recently, Goa is celebrating its annual ‘Carnaval’ or carnival from February 26 to March 1.
About
- Carnival in Goa is also called "Carnaval", "Intruz", "Entrado", or (colloquially) "Viva Carnival".
- The colourful festival, a vestige of the state’s erstwhile Portuguese rulers, is a celebration before the month of Lent followed by Catholics in Goa.
- With float parades, music, dance and culinary delights, over the decades, the exuberant celebration has been an eagerly awaited annual event showcasing Goa’s vibrant culture.
- While carnival celebrations are held across the state by the Goa Department of Tourism, Panaji is the centre of action during the carnival.
- Meanwhile, the city Panaji is already set with massive decorations to host its first beach festival with the site on the UNESCO Creative Cities Network list.
- Like in other parts of the world, the celebration kicks off with an opening ceremony and has parades of floats in the streets.
- The streets are decorated with striking masks, colourful streamers, and lights on its tree-lined streets.
History
- Goa’s carnival colourful processions begin during the month of February before the holy season of Lent, which sees the devout fast or abstains from some food, are symbolic of the state’s colonial Portuguese legacy.
- It is a 3-day festival in which Goa celebrates with joy and enthusiasm.
- This is a grand carnival, which was first celebrated by Catholics and was introduced by the Portuguese colonists who ruled Goa for almost 500 years, has now broken all sectarian borders.
- The festival was introduced by the Portuguese colonists who were the rulers of Goa for 500 years.
- It was for the first time observed by the Catholic people.
Significance
- It was for the first time observed by the Catholic people.
- The festival attracts thousands of tourists every year due to the incredible vibe that it provides along with unique celebrations.
- Various types of Cultural bend along with artworks and music events are organised throughout the four-day-long festival.
King Momo
- King Momo, or the king of Chaos, is a character derived from the Greek god Momus, the god of satire.
- Like in the many Latino Carnivals, the Goa Carnival also crowns a King Momo, usually “a large gentleman” who leads the carnival parade.
