Shigmo, Shimga, or Shishirotsava is a spring festival celebrated in the Indian state of Goa, where it is one of the major festivals of the Hindu community. It is also celebrated by the Konkani diaspora and the Indian festival of Holi is a part of it.
Shigmo, the Holi festival of the Konkani
In recent years, the state government has supported public Shigmo parades consisting of traditional folk and street dancers and elaborately constructed floats depicting scenes from the mythology regional and religious scenes. Meanwhile, Shigmo festivals also continue in various rural parts of Goa, spanning around a fortnight, with different days set aside for celebrations in different regions.
This festival is celebrated around the month of March of each year. It is linked to the Hindu lunar calendar, so its date according to the Gregorian calendar varies.
Dhakto Shigmo begins approximately five days before the full moon day of the Indian lunar month of Phalguna and ends on the full moon day in the areas of the former conquests of Goa (the areas which were under Portuguese colonial rule for a longer period of time, from the 16th century).
Naman are songs sung in chorus during the festival, when villagers gather at a fixed place. Jot is a different kind of song. Dances include Talgadi, Hanpet, Lamp Dance and Gopha. Dhol and Taso are drums, some of which can be huge, that people carry from door to door, dancing to their sound. The money is placed in a plate carried by the performers, in response to which they sing a song called the Tali, wishing the donor good luck. On the last day of the festival, a spirit known as Gade padap is believed to enter the dancers. Mand davarap refers to a collective bath taken after the end of the festival.
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Today, Konkani people celebrate Shigmo or Shimga. This spring festival, close to Holi, is an opportunity to highlight Goan culture. #mythologylegend #calendar #goa #shigmo #shimga
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