Bonderam is known as the festival of flags and is celebrated annually on the island of Divar in Goa. This festival is famous for its colorful flag parade, elaborate floats, live entertainment, and delicious foods and drinks. Some say that Bonderam is similar to Carnivale festivals that are celebrated throughout the world, but this event comes with its own cultural twist. During Bonderam, the local Goan culture is on full display, with plenty of events, brightly dressed locals, music, dance, and more. With this helpful guide, visitors will learn all about the Bonderam Festival in 2024, including its history, important celebration details, and handy travel tips, all of which will help ensure a successful and exciting trip during the Bonderam Festival.
The Vibrant History of Bonderam
Goa is a lush, historical hotspot that sees visitors from around the world, and the Bonderam Festival is an important event in this state. During the 14th century, Goa was colonized by the Portuguese, and the significance of this event can be seen in Goa today in many ways, including its food, culture, architecture, and even certain festivals, like the Bonderam Festival.
During the Portuguese occupation of Goa, the local inhabitants of the island of Divar and the Portuguese frequently had land disputes. To try to give legitimacy to their land claims, the Portuguese devised a flag system that marked out specific areas on the island. The locals of Divar often disputed these landholdings, and would frequently tear down the flags in protest. The name ‘Bonderam’ is taken from the word ‘bandeira,’ which is Portuguese for flag.
Today, the Bonderam Festival remains as a testament to Goa’s resiliency in the face of its colonial past, and as a way for the locals of Divar to honor the memories of their ancestors. Though it’s locally important, this colorful festival is also an event that anyone can enjoy, and visitors who are hoping to come to a greater understanding of Goa and its culture are certain to be thrilled by this exciting festival.
Where and When the Bonderam Festival is Celebrated
Traditionally, Bonderam is celebrated on the fourth Saturday in August, and this year, it will be held on August 24th on Divar Island. Generally, the festivities will commence around midday, beginning with the flag parade. The island itself comprises several villages, including Piedade, Goltim, Malar (Sao Mathias), and Naroa, with the largest village being Piedade. This year, the village of Malar will hold its flag march on August 17, which is somewhat breaking with tradition, but sure to be a blast, regardless.
Divar Island is located about six miles from Panaji which is the capital city of Goa, and is surrounded by the Mandovi River. The island is famous for its lush beauty, and scenic views, and it gives visitors a glimpse of what traditional life is like in Goa.
Getting to Divar is simple, though it requires a little planning. Divar is connected to the mainland via ferries, and travelers can catch a ride from several locations, including the St. Pedro Ferry Terminal (Ribandar Ferry), the Old Goa Ferry Terminal, and the Naroa Ferry Terminal, all of which will take visitors across the Mandovi River to Divar.
Top Bonderam Festival Activities
The Bonderam Festival has plenty of activities for visitors to enjoy. The famous festival gets things started with its historical flag parade. All of Divar’s villages take part in the flag parade, carrying flags that represent each of their individual wards. During this procession, the villagers take part in mock battles where they use toy weapons to knock the flags of opposing villages down, which is meant to be a fun enactment of the land disputes that the Bonderam Festival commemorates.
Another exciting activity that takes place during Bonderam is the float parade. These floats are beautifully constructed and showcase the rich history, culture, mythology, and traditions of the Goan people. Along with the floats, there is plenty of entertainment to enjoy throughout the parade, including dancers, and live music. This entertainment creates a fun, party-like atmosphere that visitors are sure to love.
Traditional music and dancing are a major part of the Bonderam Festival, and brightly dressed dancers and performers help to make this exciting event even better thanks to their talents. Visitors will be exposed to the thumping beats of traditional Goan music, and traditional brass bands, known as ‘mel’, will keep the party going throughout this festive event.
Any travelers who are hoping to dive deeper into Goan culture will be happy to note that the Bonderam Festival also has plenty of cultural activities throughout the entirety of the event. Visitors can look forward to enjoying fun skits, plays, and plenty of musical performances from local artists, which will give them an exciting look into the intricacies of this area and its rich culture.
Eating during the Bonderam festival
Enjoying food in a new place is one of the best ways to become connected to the local culture, and visitors to the Bonderam festival will be spoiled for choice when it comes to options during this event. Goa is famous for its foods, which heavily feature fish and rice dishes, along with decadent spices.
Because of Goa’s rich cultural history, not only are there stunning Indian options to choose from, like vindaloo and other curry dishes, but there are also Portuguese-inspired dishes, like bebinca and sarapatel. Bebinca is a delicious layer cake that traditionally has between seven and 16 layers, and has a rich, sweet taste. Sarapatel is another Portuguese-inspired dish, which is made of a variety of meats, like pork and offal.
During Bonderam, food can be found at the many street vendors that will be serving their delicious, fresh-cooked treats throughout the event areas, and it’s recommended that visitors sample as much as they can to get a thorough sense of just how special Goan cuisine is. If travelers prefer a sit-down experience, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from on the island, though due to the popularity of this festival, they will probably be very busy.
For drinks, there will be lots of options to sample, including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Feni is a popular distilled alcohol that’s local to Goa, made from cashews or coconut sap. It’s used in local cocktails or enjoyed on its own over ice. A popular non-alcoholic drink in Goa is hibiscus tea. This tasty and refreshing tea is the perfect way to cap off a day of celebrating.
Handy Tips for Visitors to Bonderam
Travelers planning a trip to Bonderam should arrive early, as this festival is popular with both locals and visitors. It’s recommended to get to the island early in the day to beat the crowds. Additionally, staying on the island itself, rather than on the mainland in Panaji, may be a more convenient option. Visitors should purchase ferry tickets in advance of their travel dates so that they don’t get turned away due to overcrowding.
If tourists are planning on staying at lodgings on the island, then be sure to plan well in advance of the event, as space is limited on the small island. Divar has a variety of options for accommodations, including resorts, hotels, and homestays, so travelers are sure to find something suitable for their trip.
Weather and what to wear in Goa
August is a relatively warm month in Goa and sees plenty of rainfall as it’s during the monsoon season. Fortunately, the rain often tapers off closer to the end of the month, so visitors can enjoy the warmth and sun, without the rains from monsoon season. That said, visitors to the area should plan for intermittent rain, so it would be wise to pack an umbrella, sturdy shoes, and a rain jacket. Clothes that can be layered for cooler mornings or evenings, and removed during the heat of the day are also good to pack along. Many activities will be outdoors in Goa, so packing along durable, comfortable shoes that can be walked in at length is a must.
The weather in Goa can be tiring, especially when it’s hot and humid, so travelers to the area should pack ample protection from the sun, such as UV-resistant clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, or a combination of all. With heat comes the risk of heat-related illnesses, so be sure to stay hydrated. Packing water enhancers, like electrolyte packets, can help you stay cool, refreshed, and feeling the best during the trip to Goa and the Bonderam Festival. Otherwise, keep hydrated during Bonderam by visiting local food stands and vendors, and be certain to sample the local drinks that are available to enjoy.
Observing local customs in Goa
Goa is known for its laid-back atmosphere, but visitors should still endeavor to be on their best behavior while visiting this beautiful state. The area is famous for its blend of cultures, with Hinduism, Christianity, and other religions being observed in this area. When visiting religious sites, it’s important to dress appropriately for the situation, and modesty is key. Some churches will not allow visitors who are dressed in beach wear, or who aren’t properly covered to come inside of their buildings.
For women, this may mean no bare shoulders, clothing with deep cuts, or shorts. For men, sleeveless shirts and shorts may not be permissible at religious sites. Visitors can plan in advance for the days when they’re hoping to visit religious landmarks and may want to consider packing along extra clothes that can be swapped out for visits to churches, like pants or a long stole that can be used as a covering.
While Goa and the Bonderam Festival are known for their fun atmospheres, visitors should also be aware that drinking alcohol in public is prohibited. If travelers to the area are looking to imbibe, then it’s best to do so in proper locations, like in hotel restaurants or private residences.
When it comes to taking photos of the event, visitors should remember to be courteous and ask before taking photos of locals, as not every person may want to have their photo taken. This is a significant cultural event for the area, so being kind and aware of the importance of this event will help ensure that both visitors and locals can enjoy Bonderam.
