CANACONA: After a gap of two years due to restrictions on account of the Covid pandemic, traditional Shigmo celebrations returned to Canacona taluka amid much revelry and fanfare.
There are about 40 different troupes celebrating Shigmo in Canacona. Some of the well-known Shigmo troupes are Polekar, Pedekar, Shelikar, Agaskar, Karaikar and Tanshikar in Loliem-Polem village, while Toneam-khell, Ghoff-Vinnem, Talgadi-Marne, Chourang-Khelne, are different types of performances by the different troupes.
Most villages and areas in Canacona have their own traditional Shigmo troupes and one of the main Shigmo troupes, known as ‘Veeramel’, is led by the Velip community in different villages, including Poinguinim.
Different communities such as Gomantak Maratha Samaj, Kshetriya Maratha Samaj, Komarpant Samaj, Sarawast Samaj, Kshetriya Pagi Samaj have their own Shigmo troupes in different parts of Canacona Taluka.
While Poinguinim has two main Shigmo Mells, which includes Veeramel by Velips, another Shigmo troupe ‘Manipkari’ consists of participants from different communities. Different communities in Galgibaga and Talpona have separate Shigmo troupes.
The Metri Samaj of Poinginnim village (Galgibaga) stages a specific Shigmo with the flag and plaque of Soundekar Raja.
Palolem, Chaudi, Patnem and other municipal areas also have Shigmo troupes from the Gomantak Maratha Samaj, Kshetriya Maratha Samaj and Komarpant Samaj, which perform in houses of their respective communities.
There is also a tradition in Canacona taluka where members of Shigmo troupes prepare food in the afternoon and night, which is then offered to the visiting member.
While Loliem-Polem has six main Shigmo troupes which offer only vegetarian food to its members, non-veg foods are also served in many parts of the taluka.
Gaondongrim, Khotigao, Shrishthal and Gulem are areas that have a sizeable ST population and traditional forms of Dando are also performed by different troupes during Shigmo. The Dhangars residing in certain parts of the taluka also participate in traditional Shigmo festivities.
Agonda, Khola, Shrishthal areas also have their own Shigmo troupes performing in houses. Khola also has a Shigmo troupe from the Sarawast Samaj, while most groups are from the working-class communities.
In some communities, Shigmo celebrations end on Wednesday, while for others the revelries will continue till Friday.
Most villages and areas in Canacona have their own traditional Shigmo troupes and one of the main Shigmo troupes, known as ‘Veeramel’, is led by the Velip community in different villages, including Poinguinim.
Different communities such as Gomantak Maratha Samaj, Kshetriya Maratha Samaj, Komarpant Samaj, Sarawast Samaj, Kshetriya Pagi Samaj have their own Shigmo troupes in different parts of Canacona Taluka.
While Poinguinim has two main Shigmo Mells, which includes Veeramel by Velips, another Shigmo troupe ‘Manipkari’ consists of participants from different communities. Different communities in Galgibaga and Talpona have separate Shigmo troupes.
The Metri Samaj of Poinginnim village (Galgibaga) stages a specific Shigmo with the flag and plaque of Soundekar Raja.
Palolem, Chaudi, Patnem and other municipal areas also have Shigmo troupes from the Gomantak Maratha Samaj, Kshetriya Maratha Samaj and Komarpant Samaj, which perform in houses of their respective communities.
There is also a tradition in Canacona taluka where members of Shigmo troupes prepare food in the afternoon and night, which is then offered to the visiting member.
While Loliem-Polem has six main Shigmo troupes which offer only vegetarian food to its members, non-veg foods are also served in many parts of the taluka.
Gaondongrim, Khotigao, Shrishthal and Gulem are areas that have a sizeable ST population and traditional forms of Dando are also performed by different troupes during Shigmo. The Dhangars residing in certain parts of the taluka also participate in traditional Shigmo festivities.
Agonda, Khola, Shrishthal areas also have their own Shigmo troupes performing in houses. Khola also has a Shigmo troupe from the Sarawast Samaj, while most groups are from the working-class communities.
In some communities, Shigmo celebrations end on Wednesday, while for others the revelries will continue till Friday.
