Flags, Folklore & Festivities: Carmel College at Bonderam 2024

Flags, Folklore & Festivities: Carmel College at Bonderam 2024

What do you get when you mix tradition, turmeric, pattoleo, and a brass band? A field trip that feels more like a festival!

On 17th August 2024, the students of Carmel College, Nuvem took a joyful detour from the classroom to the picturesque Divar Island to experience Bonderam — Goa’s iconic flag festival that celebrates history, heritage, and hearty community vibes.

Crossing the Waters, Stepping into Story

Sixty excited students from FYBA and TYBA (English & History Honours), accompanied by four enthusiastic faculty members — Dr. Glenis Mendonca, Dr. Brian Mendonca, Ms. Ashwini Kumar, and Ms. Salome Fernandes — set foot on Divar at 11 AM, ready for a day that promised more than just sunshine.

And oh, it delivered.

Culture in Action: Workshops & Talks

From learning how to make mollam and rottesão, to understanding the healing power of turmeric leaves, students dove right into local wisdom and crafts. They even watched a live demo on how to make pattoleo — a Goan sweet steamed in turmeric leaves — and got to taste it too. (Spoiler: it was delicious.) Adding more depth to the day, Mr. Marius Fernandes — the ever-spirited Goycho Festamcar — personally welcomed Carmel students and applauded Dr. Glenis Mendonca for spearheading this cultural exchange. The session then shifted gears into something more urgent and inspiring. Dr. Rajendra Kerkar, a well-known environmentalist, delivered a compelling TED-style talk on nature conservation and tiger protection — a powerful reminder that traditions and sustainability must go hand in hand.

Music, Dance & Island Rhythms

After minds were nourished, it was time for the soul to dance. Traditional music group Malarchim Motiam had students singing, clapping, and dancing to Goan folk tunes. The joy was contagious.

A hearty traditional lunch followed — because what’s a Goan celebration without soulful food?

The Grand Passoi: Bonderam in Full Bloom

At 2:30 PM, students joined locals for the Bonderamchi Passoi — a festive procession led by flag bearers. The first stop was the Picardo house, where Carmel students stole the show by performing the Kunbi dance to the rhythm of a live brass band while others sang “Orrad Ami Goyenkar.”

At each stop, participants were treated to local delicacies — mandos, doce bhaji, pudde (khole), and aatol — served with pride and love. The three-kilometre heritage walk wasn’t just a stroll; it was a moving classroom. With a live compere sharing stories, students learned about the origins of Bonderam, its colonial roots, and how the festival has evolved while staying deeply rooted in community spirit.

More Than a Field Trip

For many students, this was their first immersive experience of island life and traditions in North Goa. Phones came out, reels were made, memories were captured — and Instagram lit up with snippets of this vibrant day. The Bonderam Field Trip 2024 was a celebration of culture, connection, and curiosity. What started as a college-organized field visit turned into a heartwarming, soul-stirring encounter with Goa’s living heritage.