For those who came in late, Bonderam is the Annual Flag Festival held in Divar Island in August every year.
To understand....
The island of Divar consists of 4 communidades - St. Matias (also called Malar) Communidade - Naroa Communidade - Goltim Communidade - Navelim Communidade
In ancient times the Communidades used to have a flag festival just preceding the harvest festival. Flag bearers accompanied by local musicians (and later a Brass Band), would walk along the boundaries of each Communidade demarcating their holdings. Altercations would crop up and mock fights were had using 'fotases'. ( A 'fotas' is pea-shooter sort of weapon made from a length of hollow bamboo. If particular seeds named 'teflan' (Indian Pepper) are used as ammunition the sting of a 'fotas' shot can be quite painful).
In those olden days the Communidade would distribute excess earnings (part of the produce from the cultivators) among the Gaunkars as 'zonno'. That is whatever money was left after maintenance work etc. had been carried out. A certain amount would be kept aside and given to the specified Gaunkar whose turn it was to celebrate the Bonderam that year. The Gaunkar was also free to add from his own pocket to add more grandeur to the celebrations.
This money was used to (1) Pay for the musicians/Brass Band (2) Pay the flag bearers (3) Celebrate the 'konssanchem' fest the next day. So there were 4 Bonderam Festivals in Divar celebrated by each of the Communidades separately. This festival, like the Communidades, predates the Portuguese invasion of Goa.
The Post Liberation Tenancy Act (Land to the Tiller) dealt the first big blow to this festival. Tenants of the Communidades became owners of their land and so no revenue accumulated to the Communidades and hence some Communidades went broke and the celebrations of Bonderam were curtailed.
The Piedade Youth Association, a vibrant body of young Divarkars, took up the celebration of the Goltim & Navelim Communidades in earnest and revived this dying festival about 10 years back. They introduced competitive floats between the wards-troupes (Divar Centre, Vittogen, Santabhatt-Jingle Bells, Maddant- Stars, Porbuvaddo-Romantic, Premier) live music, lotteries and many such innovations to make Bonderam a truly Grand celebration. These PYA celebrations are the big Bonderam celebrations that everyone refers to.
----------------- The other Bonderam...
The St. Mathias (Malar) Communidade has been regularly celebrating Bonderam annually (one week before the popular Divar Bonderam) but in a subdued fashion and the traditional way. A brass band, flag bearers etc. Since 2000 the Malar Bonderam celebration have been a bit upbeat wit the introduction of family floats, folk entertainers, prizes etc.
This year the Malar Bonderam are on the 17th of August and the more popular large scale Divar Bonderam will be on the 23th of August.
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Interesting Trivia about Divar and Bonderam
There are three Parishes on the island Piedade - Our Lady of Piety Malar - Saint Mathias (Also has statues of the twin saints Cosme & Damian) Naroa - Holy Spirit
From Naroa in Divar one can cross over by Ferry to Naroa in Mayem-Bicholim.
Between Divar and St. Estevam there is a tiny island called Akado which has a Chapel but is administered by the Naroa Parish
Between Divar and Chorao exists another island Vanxim (with a connecting ferry) inhabited by about 30 families having its own Church and Chapel, visited by the St. Mathias Parish Priest.
There are two Village Panchayats in Divar Goltim-Navelim Panchayat St. Matias Panchayat (includes Naroa and Vanxim)
The Naroa and Navelim Communidades had stopped Bonderam celebrations long back due to lack of funds.
Flags of different countries were used in the Bonderam celebrations earlier. But since 2001, in the interests of Political Correctness, just plain coloured flags are used and 'fotas' shooting has been banned within certain areas. Outsiders run the risk of having their 'fotases' confiscated on the Ferry Boat itself by the police.
The PYA Bonderam lottery is unique because if the prize number is from among the unsold tickets then a new draw is held immediately until the prize is actually given away. This year a fancy Karizma 180 cc. Motorcycle is the first prize and at Rs. 25/- a pop it is an interesting bet.
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This report has been complied by Cecil Pinto (son-in-law of Divar) with the assistance of Nobert Pereira (Gaunkar-of-Goltim and resident of Divar). If you find any errors in this report please bring it to our attention. Queries on other aspects of Divar / Bonderam most welcome. Please forward this to any person you know who might have an interest in these topics.)
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Viva Bonderam!
For pictures and reports check out: http://www.goa-world.net/bonderam/
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