the goan I network
CANACONA
The traditional intruz has been of rich values in many parts of Canacona taluka for many years, until it began to dwindle in the mid-nineties. While many wards have already stopped taking out mel and almost disbanded them same, leading to the formation of Small Christian Communities (SCC) in all parishes, only a selective few were continuing with intruz, but only to a certain extent.
Only few years back, the youth assisted by few elders began to revive the rich tradition, and this year a number of wards in most villages in the taluka took out the mel.
In Agonda alone, four of the erstwhile existing six wards took out the mel on the first day of intruz on Sunday. Interestingly, most of them began celebrations during the morning session and played throughout the day with lunch arranged at a common place.
Loliem, Galgibaga, Ponsulem and Bhatpal are some areas that have large Catholic residents and they also plan to revive the age-old tradition of intruz in their localities.
The mel visits houses and sings 2-3 folk songs to the beats of dhol, tanse and khansali. Palolem residents have planned a carnival float parade on the last day of intruz.
