GT Digital
For the first time, the villagers of Pilerne, Bardez, celebrated the Matiechem Fest (Festival of the Soil), on Sunday, October 2, 2022. Over 1,000 visitors took part in the celebrations.
The aim of the festival was to revive the forgotten, olden-day traditions of the village, while also celebrating the soil and the potters of the land.
Pilernkars (meaning 'people of Pilerne') put up a spectacular display of their culture. With traditional music and dance, they enthralled visitors, who had come to witness this festival from far off places.
The young and the old, dressed in traditional kunbi attire, danced to the beat of traditional musical instruments.
A man dressed as a render highlighted the occupation of the traditional renderkar.
A variety of locally grown produce was exhibited during the pasoi.
Women of the village were seen happily dancing and enjoying themselves at the fest.
The festakar, Marius Fernandes, along with popular Goan musicians, O'luv and Carlos Gonsalves.
The render was an important part of traditional Goan society.
A man dressed as a toddy tapper was also part of the fest
Aromatic, freshly baked Goan bread were on display, too.