
Shigmo
Shigmotsav is one of the popular hindu festivals of Goa. Shigmo is celebrated in the month of Phalguna (March) as per the hindu calander. The festival commences with Naman (Naman are the songs sung in chorus during the festival) of villagers from ninth moon day to full moon day. From 11th to 15th moon day, they gather at the village temples, with their multi-coloured attire, flags, torans, and column-like red spotted “Dwajas”. Fifth day of the Shigmo festival is the day of rejoicing. This day is called as “Rang Panchami”. Red powder (Gulal) is profusely used by the people for the celebration. Jot is a kind of song sung too, while the talgadi is a folk dance performed during the Shigmo. Dol and tasha are the drums, some of which can be huge in size, which people travel with, from door-to-door, dancing to its sound. Money is placed in the plate carried by the performers, and a song called the tali is sung after this is done, wishing the donor well. On the last day of the festival, it is believed that a spirit enters these persons who dance, and this is known as the gade padne. Mand Thevane refers to a collective bath taken after the festival comes to an end. Sugrishmak is the sanksrit word from wihch the word “Shigmo” bears its origin, later it was called Suggimaho in Shourseni and today its called “Shigmo” in Konkani. Shigmo is more traditional and Goan, but it has never got the wide coverage as got by the Carnival celebrations in Goa. However, in recent years, the state government has been offered its support for public Shigmo float parades in Goa. These floats are made up of traditional folk dances, street-dancers and floats depicting religious scene. A spectacular Shigmo parade is annually held in the Panjim city. Float parades are also held at the major cities like Vasco, Margao, Mapusa and Ponda.