Dhalo celebrations in Goa

Paush, the tenth month of the Hindu calendar, has much significance in the life of Goan Hindu women as it provides them a forum to express their hidden artistic talents and extra-ordinary love they possess for the ecology. The non-Brahmin women, who throughout the year are involved in toiling hard in the soil, usually take part in Dhalo. By celebrating the Dhalo, they actually express their humble gratitude for mother earth who supports their livelihood and fulfills the basic need of food.Santeri, who is worshipped in the form of an ant hill, is the symbolic representation of mother earth. The earth possesses the ability of procreation so also women and hence they worship the ant hill as well as the Tulshi Vridavan, a pedestal with the basil plant so that their procreative power will be maintained and enriched. The scheduled tribe communities like Velip and Gawda have the tradition of celebrating Dhalo. The Velips, earlier, mainly dwelled inside forests and their life was the best example of sustainable livelihood. In the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary at Verle, the Velip women used to celebrate Dhillo inside a densely forested sacred grove known as Bhui Pann. The Dhillo and the Dhalo are festivals that have uniform objectives. In Sanguem, Quepem and Canacona there are many tribal hamlets which observe the Dhalo with a lot of ritualism, fun and frolic. The Bhandari, Kharvi and many peasant communities take part in the Dhalo in the jubilant mood. The tradition of Dhalo in many villages was on the wane but it got necessary impetus when the Directorate of Art and Culture and Kala Academy Goa along with other organizations began to patronize it through festivals and competitions.For five or seven days, women assemble late evening in front of the shrine of Rashtroli or other folk deities. They light the lamp and invoke the deity as well as Tulshi Vrindavan for blessings. Standing in two rows and facing each other they, dance to the tune of melodious folk songs. These folk songs reflect the traditional ecological knowledge, flora and fauna found in the area. Though some songs are monotonous due to repetition, their tune is indeed very enchanting. Among the Christian Kunbis there is a unique tradition of Dhalo still maintained. Amelia Dias from Kothambi, Quepem says, “We are presenting the Dhalo since many generations to the tune of folk songs and the beats of drum called Ghumat played by the men.” Besides, during the Paush month there will not be any marriage ceremony. Women get themselves busy in celebrating the Dhalo through songs, dances and a variety of traditional games on the sacred platform called ‘Mand’.