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Goa Carnival

The word carnival is derived from the Latin caro meaning 'meat' and vale, which translates to 'good-bye'. This evolved to become carnival. The Goa Carnival, celebrated on the three days just before Lent, is an integral part of the Portuguese heritage of the state that was a dominion of Portugal till 1961. The previous rulers as a rowdy celebration in which flour, eggs, oranges, lemons, mud introduced it, sand-filled gloves along with dirty water, various liquids and glue were aimed at passersby. Used pots, pans, and other kitchen utensils were also thrown out of windows. Perhaps this was done to discard the old and the dirty before the Lenten fast.

Fierce battles were waged in the streets with plaster-of-Paris eggs, wax lemons, corncobs and beans. Blows with brooms and wooden spoons were dealt out liberally. It was also an occasion for unchecked eating. People gorged on rich food at lavish feasts. Even the convents distributed cakes and pastries. The carnival in Goa has retained the core of these festivities, while adapting and amalgamating it with the local culture. Though it is celebrated for only three days, the preparations start many days in advance, and buildup to a frenetic pitch by the eve of the carnival.

Though celebrated by the Christian population of Goa , its only relevance to Christianity is that it is celebrated before Lent. The festival today has no religious undertones and has come to be a cultural highlight of the state, rather than of the religion.