NICOLE SUARES
As August approaches, farmers across Goa eagerly anticipate the harvest. This time of year, heralds festive celebrations from Raia in the South to Aldona in Bardez.
On the island of Divar, in Tiswadi taluka, the islanders from the wards of Piedade and Malar begin preparations in earnest for their respective Bonderam (bonder meaning flag) celebrations.
Rehearsals for the various acts are in full swing as the event draws closer. Malar will celebrate their flag march on August 17 this year, adding a twist to the traditional parade.
BORDER CELEBRATIONS
Bonderam is an age-old custom that mimics the traditional mock battles between the different wards in Divar – Navelim, Goltim, Malar and Naroa.
Millie Menezes, a Malarkar who’s seen the Bonderam in the late 60s as a young girl, talks about the simple celebrations without the fanfare.
“Earlier, the St Mathias, Malar (Divar) island Bonderam was celebrated on the August 23, followed by the Novidade, the cutting of the first crop, the next day after the mass at the church. The Piedade Bonderam was on the last Saturday of the month."
Bonderam is an age-old custom that mimics the traditional mock battles between the different wards in Divar – Navelim, Goltim, Malar and Naroa.
"The previous day, the flags would be taken to the xim (border) at the top of the hill, at the boundary line between Sao Mathias and Piedade. The flags would return to the church between 10 am to 11 am,” she recalls.
The youngsters would make the fotash and play all morning. The assalem would not hurt as much as the teflam that would sting.
She recalls, “The girls would hide in the houses and the boys would look daringly for us. In the evening, at around 4 pm, locals got together for katodoi – where the blindfolded person had to crack the coconut with a thick bamboo stick. In the 80s, the festivities included a simple fancy dress and dance on the streets.”
In everyone’s house, patoleo and pudde were made, and it was a celebration mainly for the family and relatives to enjoy.
The celebration of both the Bonderam on the island, finds Marius, are a unique manifestation of the island’s rich cultural heritage and history.
“These festivals, celebrated in the villages of St Mathias and Piedade, are a testament to the island’s vibrant traditions and community spirit. The Bonderam festivals of St Mathias and Piedade deserve recognition and promotion by the media, tourism stakeholders, tourism professionals, and Goa Tourism officials,” he says.
In everyone’s house, pattaleo and pudde were made, and it was a celebration mainly for the family and relatives to enjoy.
SAO MATHIAS GEARS UP
The village is buzzing with preparations. Fernandes, talking about the current edition shares, “Bonderam is a cornerstone of Divar’s cultural heritage. As always, we have tried introducing a new perspective to the festival. Instead of the half-day program, we have introduced the ‘Patoieanchem Fest’ in the morning and the rest of the usual programs follow till 10 pm.”
“The festival engages over 500 volunteers who dedicate two months to training, ensuring the event is inclusive and accessible. This festival not only showcases the community’s heritage, but also trains future generations in the island’s culture, cuisine and music,” he shares.
After the fest ends, the Jevonn begins from 12.30 pm to 2 pm at the Sao Mathias Sports Club. The popular Pasoi is back from 3 pm to 4.30 pm with the traditional flag off, and ends with the float parade and live music.
Remy de Almeida, Vice-President of the Sao Mathias Sports Club, moved from the UK with his children 12 years ago. Bonderam in Malar is different, he says, since it evolves every year.
The festival engages over 500 volunteers who dedicate two months to training, ensuring the event is inclusive and accessible. This festival not only showcases the community’s heritage, but also trains future generations in the island’s culture, cuisine and music.
“Last year, we celebrated the Year of Millets, formed a children’s band called Malarchim Motiam to play for the Jevonn, and organized workshops on the traditional arts of rotecao and mollam. We plan to host a Bonderam version of the Ted Talks to share anecdotes from the past in Divar to make it progressive and evolving, yet keeping the traditions intact.”
Remy’s children actively participate in the festivities every year. For the younger generation, glued to mobile phones and visiting malls, the festival provides an opportunity to learn new skills.
He says, “Bonderam provides children an opportunity to learn to collaborate on the design of the float, learn our collective strengths, and select a theme.”
Marius adds that youth participation is pivotal to the celebrations as they yearly involve schools, colleges, and institutions as special guests to perform and organise workshops.
Malar has demonstrated how a traditional festival can survive with the infusion of fresh ideas that promote heritage, empower the youth, and unearth new talent.