If you are told that it is four nights and five days or five nights and six days, you are bound to get mixed up with tourism. But, wait a bit, as it is nothing of the sort, but age-old customs in the Goan pastoral and ethnic communities where women, young and the elderly and the children dance, sing and invoke the local deity during the celebration of the traditional folk festival of Dhalo. The festival is held in the lunar month of Pausha in most villages, but there are exceptions as in a few villages like Reis Magos where they celebrate the festival in the month of Magh.
Many villages across the state organise this ethnocultural festivity in which only women participate. On the other hand, the festival of Shigmo involves only males. Though no one knows for sure when this tradition began, it appears to be deeply rooted from time immemorial that has
passed from generations down to the present times.
Director of St Thomas Stephen Konkani Kendra and folklorist, Dr Pandurang Phaldesai says, “It is related to fertility cult and is basically the worship of Mother Earth (Bhumi). It is performed in an open space, called ‘Maand’, the sacred place for a duration of three to nine days during a moonlit night. Celebrations culminate on a Sunday or Wednesday.” There is no recorded history of this practice as the festivity is related to nature. And, it is a way of thanking nature, adds Dr Phaldesai.
Women celebrate this festival for the protection and well-being of the community. Women in the village who participate in Dhalo are called ‘Vhovlyo’ who lined up in two parallel rows, holding one another by side named ‘Fateio’. One row of dancer sing and dance by taking five steps forward and then moving back and then the other row of dancers follow the same pattern. They dance with passion and enthusiasm is visible on the smiling faces of everyone. The songs that are sung are in praise of god, Sakalyo, (Local protector) and issues related to women and social life.
At Britona, Matav Wada, Dhalo is organised for six days at the Maand, popularly known as Fatorphodi Pona. Though the original plant doesn’t exist today, there is a fig plant at the very site. It is a stone’s throw away from the ancient shrine of Jhumbaracho Fator in front of the village temple, informs Gajanan Halarnkar from Britona,
Penha de Franca.
The festivity began post-dinner with the invocation (Gharane) and pooja (worship) by Gandhali Gajanan Halarnkar, president of Shree Shambo Mahadeo Mahila Sangh at the beautifully decorated Tulsi (Basil Plant) Vrindavan with flowers and women assembled all around adding to the festive ambiance. Tulsi is considered an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, consort of Lord Vishnu.
For the first four days dances are performed till past midnight, but on the fifth day Dhalo continues till early morning the next day. Several acts and games are performed that include the wedding of Navro-Vhokal (bride-groom) at dawn around 5 am. Pingli, a lady wearing a turban (Mudaso) carrying a pot visits houses in the neighbourhood, where the people offer her alms. The other notable act includes in which a frond of coconut is covered with a blanket in an act of enacting a peacock ‘Mhor’, which is then killed by firing an arrow. In the past, some children would become ‘Ramba’ attaining a trance state. Someone acts like a Gaudi, an ethnic woman, while other acts like an eagle, rooster, etc.
Different songs on women’s life, plants and animals are sung. While songs are place-specific, certain rituals and acts of Dhalo are common across different places. Some rituals and acts that are performed are assigned to some families, termed ‘Maan’ (respect) is followed and the tradition is kept intact by performing the act.
It is not just folk songs and dance, but to survive the long night and the chill, women participants in Reis Magos bring some homemade sweets and snacks and serve hot tea to everyone to bring in some well-deserved warmth. “We prepare a special dinner ‘Mahanevedya’, which is served to all the participants and the guest who doesn’t miss the celebration every year,” tells Mrs. Halarnkar.
The festival ends with prayers and the invocation of all deities to bless the people, their families, relatives and the village by bestowing good health and prosperity in their life and a wish of assembling again at the Maand to celebrate Dhalo with gaiety and fanfare. After breaking of coconut, ‘Kowl’ which is offered to the deity, is then taken home by every family as ‘Naivedya’ sacred offering from the deity. The exchange of pleasantries and togetherness add up to the friendly atmosphere.
Member of the group, Sushma Satyavan Dhavde says, “While in most places Dhalo are performed by the married women, here in Britona we have a tradition of celebrating Bhurgeacho Dhalo during Datta Jayanti festival for five days. This playful festivity is conducted only by unmarried girls in which Fugdi dance, songs and games are performed by gyrating at a fast pace as the tempo built up.”
The participative spirit of this active Mahila Mandal from Britona has created a niche in the state, which they are proud of. Over the years the money they have saved from various activities was put to noble use. They offered a part of their savings to the Shree Shambo Mahadeo Devasthan. Mrs. Halarnkar acknowledges, “The temple was recently renovated for which our group made a generous offer of 16.48 lakh rupees in a donation to the temple.” The Pointed dome (Kalash) and the striking backdrop of the Sanctum Sanctorum (Prabhaval) made of silver were offered by them.
While many cultural practices may be fast eroding from Goa, some festivities related to religious beliefs and age-old traditions like Dhalo which are rooted in nature help to keep the women folk happy, healthy, and connected to knit the community together is needed in today’s divisive atmosphere.