Goa's version of the Civil War Re-enactment might not be your idea of fun while on a holiday. But the Bonderam Festival in Goa promises much revelry for for the history buff and the tourist
Goa's version of the Civil War Re-enactment might not be your idea of fun while on a holiday. But the Bonderam Festival in Goa promises much revelry for for the history buff and the tourist
Every year, on the fourth Saturday of August, the island of Divar, located about 12 kms away from Panaji in Goa, is filled with revellers throwing berries at flags. What's exciting about that, do we hear you ask? Yes, watching a bunch of grown up people aim berries at flags isn't particularly a feast for the eyes but when you dig deeper to find out about the history of the event, it does bring on a smile. 
Legend has it that during (and perhaps even before) the rule of the Portuguese in these parts, there were a several bloody duels, which were the result of disputes over property demarcation. The European rulers had had enough of the unnecessary loss of lives so they introduced a rule of demarcating boundaries with flags.
Funny, how they expected people, who wouldn't let go of their piece of land to a sword, to acquiesce to flags.
Obviously, the flags were knocked down using stones.u00a0u00a0
Today, several centuries later the Bonderam Festival is celebrated to remember the act of tossing down flags using stones, except now they use harmless berries. Also, the festival includes floats made by local groups that are part of the parade. Now, participants in the beach state's feast of Bonderam are not exactly similar to the thousands of re-enactors, who recreate various events from the American Civil War in the US and other countries, but this is as close to a genuine re-enactment we can get in India.
On August 27; AT Divar Island, off Panaji, Goa
ADVERTISEMENT
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
