Apparently it is raining ‘festivals’ in Goa! As much as the Carnival and Shigmo floats; the fervour with which ‘zatras’ are celebrated in the State brings to life the ancient traditions valued by locals. And there were quite a few of them as well!
But when the government, catering to a large audience, embarks on a slew of ‘festivals’ primarily aimed at highlighting particular attributes of the region, it is a different experience altogether.
Goa’s first Cashew Fest 2023 was organized by Goa’s Forest Development Corporation (GFDC) on April 15. The two-day festival was held at Dayanand Bandodkar Ground, Campal.
The cashew festival in Goa promised to be a unique and exciting event that celebrates the State’s rich cashew culture. With a variety of cashew-based products, dishes, and traditional methods of processing on display, the festival promised to offer visitors a glimpse into the fascinating world of cashew farming in Goa.
As an event that promised to be a treat for all food enthusiasts, cashew lovers, and those looking to experience the unique culture of Goa, the festival was undoubtedly a big draw with the locals and tourists alike.
The festival presented a unique opportunity for the visitors to delve into the idea of the humble cashew and understand how it is boosting the state’s economy and its identity.
As a great initiative by the GFDA to promote the cashew fruit, this platform will also advance the interests of local farmers and communities who are intrinsic to the cultivation and culture of the cashew fruit.
As so very rightly said, “There’s more to cashew Fest than just Urrak and Niro!”
The Cashew Festival was conceptualized on the basis of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Swayampurna Goa and attracted huge public prompting the Chief Minister to announce that henceforth the festival will be celebrated as a State festival.
In October last, the GFDC had planned to promote cashew and its products by boosting production and also by holding an annual cashew festival during the summer this year.
The GFDC Chairperson was of the opinion that the production of cashew needs to be increased. She asserted that plantations had to be properly maintained and new saplings had to be grown.
As observed by the Chairperson, it is indeed an irony that despite being a cash crop and Goa having a tradition of cashew plantations, the state is lagging behind to meet the growing demands.
Coming closely on the heels of the Cashew Fest, an event to celebrate Feni “ the Spirit of Goa festival “ was organized by the tourism department at Colva in South Goa from April 21 to 23.
The Spirit of Goa, which was more focused on Feni, was an opportunity for visitors to taste the variants of cashew and coconut Feni. The brewing process and the instruments and vessels used for making Feni were also exhibited.
While the concept of the Spirit of Goa festival has been relatively new, reports state that it started about ten years ago, and halted during the pandemic. Festivals are usually big draws and especially as post-pandemic ‘stress-busters’.
However, it is not that Goa is a stranger to such festivals!
For instance, the Grape Escapade, as an annual event, is a celebration of wine culture in Goa. With plenty of wine, haute cuisine and an entertainment extravaganza, people rarely ever give this gala a miss.
However, the Goan ‘zing’ was missing in all such festivals.
As the French would be about Champagne, the Scotts about Scotch and the Mexicans about that shot of Tequila; a typical Goan is equally fastidious about the locally brewed ‘Maad’ and ‘Caju’ feni.
My mind goes back to the summer of 2012!
The “Big Foot-Cocoju Fest’12”, as a Feni festival, was hosted for the third year in a row on the 29th of April 2012 at Big Foot at Loutolim. As it became an annual event, the promotion and dedication of the pure, unadulterated brew called “feni” from coconut and cashew remained the eternal theme.
And more recently the Heritage Festival 2023 organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, held from April 28 to April 30 at the Saligao ground in Bardez, North Goa, celebrated the perfect blend of rich cultures and heritage architecture that are shaped by various influences over the years.
Understanding that Goa’s heritage goes beyond the iconic forts and heritage houses and dwells into traditional music, art and folk dances, the Heritage Festival 2023 aimed to delve deeper into these concepts of Goa’s heritage and culture besides exploring various Goan art forms.
As tourism promotional ventures, these ‘theme-based’ festivals could do a lot of good for the state.
However one can’t but harbour a feeling that there is always a sort of vacuum created after the organizing of such ‘festivals’, in the sense that the very idea of holding these events has nothing sustainable about them with regards to the theme that they purportedly highlight.
For instance, although it occupies the largest area among horticultural crops, will the Cashew Fest have a significant effect on cashew cultivation in Goa?
Considering that most festivals are designed to earn money, educate the public and bring awareness to a particular cause, there is always scope for the improvement of the sectors which are broadly being thought about and discussed vis-Ã -vis these festivals.
Nevertheless, as novel ideas that could encourage tourist footfall in the state, regular staging of such events becomes a necessity.
