Goa and Brazil share this Portuguese legacy

CARNIVAL CONNECT

What is common between these two former Portuguese colonies – one in South America and the other in the southwestern part of Indian subcontinent? Well, it’s their carnival.

CARNIVAL FEVER

The tiny State of Goa revels as much in its ‘Viva Carnival’ as Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro does in its ‘Rio Carnival’ held every year – mostly between later part of February and early March.

TRACING ORIGINS

Information available on public platforms shows the origin of Goa’s carnival dates back to the 18^th century while that of Brazil’s to the 16^th century.

HITTING THE PAUSE

Goa’s carnival came to a temporary halt during the Portuguese authoritarian regime – The Estado Novo – led by Prime Minister Antonio de Oliveira Salazar and his successors.

BACK TO LIFE

After a brief pause, Goa’s carnival was revived by a local musician Timoteo Fernandes in 1965 after the coastal State was liberated from the Portuguese rule in 1961.

IN RIO’S FOOTSTEP

The new avatar of Goa’s Carnival is based on Brazil’s Rio Carnival. Like all carnivals, it is marked with pomp, celebration, feasting, music, vibrant colours and pulsating energy.   

DIFFERING SCALE

The local carnival’s scale differs from Rio’s. ‘Viva Carnival’ draws revellers in thousands while Rio Carnival has millions of people, from across the globe, landing in Rio de Janeiro.     

CARNIVAL COUNTDOWN

While the carnival in Brazil lasts 5-10 days, in Goa the revelry lasts 4 days. So, if you can’t make it to the Rio carnival, head to Goa for its mini-version. 

NEXT: Of Goa Carnival 2025 and the countdown to the excitement