{{Short description|Hindu festival in Goa, India}} thumb|468x468px|Young boy at the Shimgo holding aarat '''Shigmo''', or '''Shishirotsava'''<ref name="gsg">{{cite book|last=Guṅe|first=Viṭhṭhala Triṃbaka|title=Gazetteer of the Union Territory Goa, Daman and Diu: district|publisher=Goa, Daman and Diu (India). Gazetteer Dept|year=1979|volume=1|pages=263}}</ref> is a spring festival celebrated in the Indian state of Goa, where it is one of the major festivals of the Hindu community. It is also celebrated by Konkani diaspora and Indian festival of Holi is part of it. {{Anchor|Etymology of the Word}}
==Etymology== The Konkani word ''śigmō'' comes from the Prakrit word ''suggimaho'' which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word ''sugrīṣmaka''.<ref>{{cite book|title=Koṅkaṇī Śabdasāgara|volume=1|pages=126|chapter=Apabhraṃśa|language=Konkani}}</ref>
==Shigmo now== In recent years the state government has supported public Shigmo parades consisting of traditional folk and street dancers and elaborately built floats depicting scenes from regional mythology and religious scenes. Meanwhile, Shigmo festivals also continue in various rural parts of Goa, spanning over a fortnight, with different days earmarked for celebrations in different areas. This festival is celebrated around March each year. It is linked to the Hindu lunar calendar, hence its date according to the Gregorian calendar varies.
==Variations== There are two variants of Shigmo festival: ''Dhakto Shigmo'' ("small Shigmo") and ''Vhadlo Shigmo'' ("big Shigmo").<ref name="gsg"/> ''Dhakto Shigmo'' is generally celebrated by farmers, the labour class and the rural population, while ''Vhadlo Shigmo'' is of greater consequence and is celebrated by everyone together.<ref name="gsg" /> {{Anchor|Timing of the festival}}
==Timing== ''Dhakto Shigmo'' begins some five days before the full-moon day of the Indian lunar month of Phalguna and ends on the full-moon day<ref>{{cite book|last=Gajrani|first=S|title=History, Religion and Culture of India. |pages=127–128}}</ref> in the ''Old Conquests'' areas of Goa (the areas that were under Portuguese colonial rule for a longer period of time, starting from the sixteenth century). On the other hand, ''Vhadlo Shigmo'' is mostly celebrated in the ''New Conquests'' areas, beginning on the full-moon day of Phalguna and continuing for five days. {{Anchor|Some terms}}
==Terminology== ''Naman'' are songs sung in chorus during the festival, when villagers assemble at a fixed place. ''Jot'' is another kind of song. Dances include ''Talgadi'', ''Hanpet'', Lamp Dance and ''Gopha''. ''Dhol'' and ''Taso'' are drums, some of which can be huge, which people carry from door to door, dancing to their sound. Money is placed in a plate carried by the performers, in response to which they sing a song called the ''Tali'', wishing the donor well. On the last day of the festival, it is believed that a spirit known as the ''Gade padap'' enters the dancers. ''Mand davarap'' refers to a collective bath taken after the festival comes to an end.{{cn|date=July 2020}}
==Folk songs and dances, temple festival== ''Dhakto Shigmo'' can be considered mainly as a festival of folk songs and folk dances,<ref name="gsg"/> while ''Vhadlo Shigmo'' is considered a festival performed in the village temple.<ref name="gsg"/> It is celebrated in different temples on different dates around the same period. On the first day, the village deity is bathed and dressed in saffron robes.<ref name="shig">{{cite book|last=Maḍkaikāra|first=Śrīpādrāva|title=Śrī devī Kālikā|publisher=Gomantaka Daivajña Brāhmaṇa Samājotkarṣa Sansthā|date=April 1984|pages=5–78|language=Marathi}}</ref> After the offering of food, a feast is held.<ref name="shig" /> Shigmo celebrated in the temples of Jambavali,<ref>{{cite book|author-link=Maria de Lourdes Bravo da Costa Rodrigues|last=Bravo da Costa Rodrigues|first=Maria de Lourdes|title=Feasts, festivals, and observances of Goa |pages=43–44}}</ref> Phatarpya,<ref>{{cite book|author-link=Maria de Lourdes Bravo da Costa Rodrigues|last=Bravo da Costa Rodrigues|first=Maria de Lourdes|title=Feasts, festivals, and observances of Goa |pages=73–74}}</ref> Kansarpal<ref name="shig" /> and Dhargale{{cn|date=July 2020}} are very famous in Goa and the neighboring states and attract a large number of devotees and tourists.
Eg folk songs like
शेवते झाडाचो लांबा ताळयो
लांब ताळयो शेवते फुला कळो
==See also== *Zatra *Chikhal Kalo *Gadyachi Jatra *Holika Dahan
==References== {{reflist}}
{{HinduFestivals}}
Category:Religious festivals in India Category:Hindu festivals Category:Hinduism in Goa Category:Festivals in Goa Category:Holi Category:Folk festivals in India Category:Spring festivals in India