In the globalized age, where children of Margao and Panjim know about the latest video games or about major sporting events played in different continents, there are hardly a few children who know about the traditional games and sports that are played back home.
Most don’t even know the name of these games, forget knowing how to play them. While some of these games are still played in pockets across Goa, the numbers are few and far between and the senior citizen folk who can play the game as easily as they can snap their fingers, find no one willing to listen to them and learn about these traditions of an era gone by.
Quepem, a taluka dominated by the ST community has been the heart of a revival campaign led by the Christian Adivasi Sangatna in coordination with the Directorate of Art and Culture that organises a two day bi annual traditional cultural festival where these games are played. Apart from these games, a lot of other varied activities and stalls are organised along with displays of folk culture performances including intruz and others competitions that evoke feelings of nostalgia. Over 2000 people participate in this event and attendees like deputy collector Ajit Panchwadkar reminisce about how these games were so popular and now stare at the risk of extinction if steps are not taken to preserve them.
Traditional games such as Chanteani, Logoreani, tug of war, breaking the pot and Tonn-Barani are organised. Advocate John Fernandes explains how these games are played as he organises these festivals.
“Logoreani is a game where there are two teams comprising of 5 to 6 players. A ball and logoreo are used. Initially we used to use a logoreo made up of country tile. Now we use a coconut shell or a wooden one. One team hits the logoreo while the other team defends. Each player is given three chances to hit the logoreo. After hitting it, they have to raise them. If they cannot raise it or their player gets hit with the ball, they do not get the point and then it’s the turn of the defending team. If they raise the logoreo, they get one point. There are certain rules in this game. The ball has to be hit on a particular part of the body. While hitting the logoreo, if a catch is held, then the defending team gets a bonus point,” said John.
He further goes on to talk about other games like Chaeani which is also known as Mittani where there are two teams and in each team there are 5 players. One team is playing while the other is defending. “This is a good game for physical exercise,” quipped John while adding that Konkani words like ‘kud, chato/mitto, boleo are used in the game a lot.
He also talks about the crowd favourite Tonn Barani and recounts how initially they used to play it differently. “A big and small danda is used. The small one is called a ‘Bar’ which is given shape on both sides so that if it’s hit, it should come up while the big one is called a tono. One has to keep the bar on the ground and hit with the danda. This is the modified form,” added John.
Historians also talk about other games like Lomeani, Longdi, Tablam, Godde and Parrani and how exciting they used to be. Another game was to see who could roll a tyre on the road with a stick without it falling. There would be obstacles placed in its path.
They also recall how Gilli Danda used to be a favourite for school children during school breaks or after class and compared it to cricket which is popular now. They hope that these games do not remain just memories and such revival programmes are organised more often in every part of Goa.
