Goan Tribal Women Revive Centuries-Old Dhillo Harvest Festival

The Velip tribal women of Goa have been celebrating the vibrant Dhillo festival for centuries, but the celebration has evolved over time. While the festival used to last for almost 21 nights, it is now observed for about a week in many places. Through dance and songs, the Velip women depict various aspects of their agrarian life, cultural heritage, and community spirit, beginning from Dussehra and continuing till Bali Pratipada during Diwali.

The Velips, who are one of the scheduled tribes of Goa, were traditionally forest dwellers who practiced slash-and-burn agriculture. Both married and unmarried Velip women would joyfully perform the Dhillo festival, usually near sacred groves or forested areas. Today, Velip women from villages in Canacona, Quepem, and Sanguem, as well as from border areas of Joida taluka in Karnataka, continue to uphold this age-old tradition each year.

The festival concludes on Bali Pratipada, the day following Diwali. On the final day, the women invoke Dhillyadev to bless everyone with prosperity, happiness, and good health, and finally immerse the Dhillo in a stream or spring in a traditional procession. The Dhillo festival not only entertains but also helps the women relieve mental stress and boosts their morale as they prepare for the autumn agricultural season.