Goa's tribal community offers glimpses into their way of life

Venita Gomes

TRIBAL FESTIVAL IN GOA

Adivasi Sangatna Kepem, in collaboration with the Directorate of Art & Culture and Goa's Tribal Welfare Department, recently organised a two-day Tribal Festival at Copelabhat Deao, Quepem, South Goa.

Tribal Life| Goa Adivasi Sangatna Kepem| Quepem|Tribal Village Life| Tribal Community of Goa| Kunbi|Gauda | Photo: Venita Gomes

SHOWCASE OF MANY

The festival was a showcase of live demonstrations, along with stalls featuring handicrafts, traditional foods and more.

Tribal Life| Goa Adivasi Sangatna Kepem| Quepem|Tribal Village Life| Tribal Community of Goa| Kunbi|Gauda | Photo: Venita Gomes

ART OF PACKAGING & WEAVING

A tribal artisan demonstrated traditional packaging and weaving techniques used for storing rice in the olden days.

Tribal Life| Goa Adivasi Sangatna Kepem| Quepem|Tribal Village Life| Tribal Community of Goa| Kunbi|Gauda | Photo: Venita Gomes

MAKING MATS

At the festival, there were demos of some of the oldest traditional mats (locally known as mandri) being fashioned from lavo, a kind of wild grass.

Tribal Life| Goa Adivasi Sangatna Kepem| Quepem|Tribal Village Life| Tribal Community of Goa| Kunbi|Gauda | Photo: Venita Gomes

GRINDING STONE

Two women demonstrated the traditional method of grinding and pounding food grains using an old-fashioned grinding stone, a process that demands considerable energy and effort.

Tribal Life| Goa Adivasi Sangatna Kepem| Quepem|Tribal Village Life| Tribal Community of Goa| Kunbi|Gauda | Photo: Venita Gomes

BEHIND THE BROOM

Along with the craft of broom-making, the festival gave a peek into the craftsmanship behind these traditionally crafted brooms, a typically labour-intensive process.

Tribal Life| Goa Adivasi Sangatna Kepem| Quepem|Tribal Village Life| Tribal Community of Goa| Kunbi|Gauda | Photo: Venita Gomes

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

A variety of local and healthy food items, such as sanna, donne, doce, and more, were sold at the festival.

Tribal Life| Goa Adivasi Sangatna Kepem| Quepem|Tribal Village Life| Tribal Community of Goa| Kunbi|Gauda | Photo: Venita Gomes

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