The colours of Bonderam in Divar

The scenic Divar Island was full of colourful flags, traditional bands, authentic food and lots of excitement as crowds flocked to the village to witness the annual Bonderam festival that took place on Saturday afternoon. People took part in the Bonderachi Pasoi, which aimed at bringing out the festival’s heritage aspect, apart from traditional games like kattodio (coconut-smashing competition).There were also performances by a brass band and other Goan musicians, and even a float parade.
Bonderachi Pasoi
Several houses were decorated with flags and colourful banners to welcome people, with some villagers opening their houses and offering traditional sweets to those taking part in the heritage walk. The pasoi started from the church and went around the village, stopping at eight houses where the revellers were warmly welcomed and served chone, doce, chai, alle belle, pude, sanna or patoleos. “Some of the people had never tasted these,” says Marius Fernandes, who organised the Bonderachi Pasoi.
The walk was led by school students holding flags and a traditional band playing music. Folk songs, dance performances and other presentations along the way ensured everyone got the true essence of the festival that has been forgotten over time. “We aimed at going back to our roots and celebrating the way our ancestors did. Earlier, the procession would start from the church and go around the boundaries of the village. It included a brass band and flag carriers, and the whole village would join in with mock guns, which have been discontinued due to accidents. Over time, Bonderam started changing because of western influence. So, we aimed to recreate the olden times,” says Marius.
The two-hour-long pasoi, or walk, was attended by people from all over. “Apart from food, some of the houses offered to show their skills like playing the saxophone and so on. Over 60 students of Don Bosco College joined us to perform traditional music. We also organised the Bonderachem Jevonn for them before the pasoi commenced,” says Marius. The pasoi, which was introduced on a trial basis last year, has seen a great response this year and will be a regular feature of Bonderam.
Viraj Naik from Vasco, who frequently visits Divar and was at Bonderam and Bonderachi Pasoi, says, “It’s great to witness this festival because they are trying to maintain the cultural aspects of Goa. It also helps tourism in a positive way. It’s not commercial and brings out the traditions and heritage of Goa in the truest form. It also signifies unity, as all the villagers come together as niz goenkars do. The pasoi focused on the traditional sweets and highlighted the ghumot, which was indeed great.”
Float parade, kattodio and more
Tourists and Goans also gathered to take part in Kattodio — the traditional coconut-smashing competition. Everyone including the Goa police and firefighters were encouraged to participate. It was followed by a fancy-dress competition and very soon Johnny B Gud with Bushka took the stage to entertain the crowd with foot-tapping Konkani numbers. The band Double R also performed some Goan favourites.
The float parade organised by the St Mathias Sports and Cultural Club was a grand event, with members of all four wards — Belsur, Amboi, Goddar and Church — taking part with their own floats, musicians and dancers. The floats depicted traditional occupation and village life and took the crowd down memory lane.
People from Belsur ward had a float portraying lives of fisherfolks. With a strength of over 70 people, they had people dressed in different costumes. “Fishing is a traditional occupation on Divar island. But now, not many are dependent on fishing or agriculture anymore. Through this float, we aim to portray the times gone by and hope that it’s revived soon,” says Salu de Madar, a tiatrist who was a part of the float.
“We’ve been taking part in Bonderam ever since we learnt to walk,” says Salome Pereira, who was a part of the float. Katia Heredia adds, “There are 70 people in our float and it includes people of all ages. We practice for two weeks or so, and everyone starts showing up only closer to the date of Bonderam.” The group were the winners of the float parade.
Alex Vaz from Goddar, who was there with their float depicting traditional workmen like the toddy tapper, poder and so on, says, “I have been taking part with my brother for a very long time. We make it a point to organise the float each year. We are around 40 people in the float and the dancers are practising for two weeks now. The float was made within a couple of days.”