Potekar Festival – Divar Island’s Living Masquerade Tradition
Potekar is a unique traditional masquerade ritual celebrated on Divar Island, Goa, during the final days of Carnival, just before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. Rooted deeply in village culture, it remains one of Goa’s most raw and community-driven traditions. The word Potekar comes from the Konkani word potem (sack), referring to someone who appears shabby, disguised, or intentionally unrecognisable. Participants wear handmade masks, tattered clothing, and cowbells tied around their waist or ankles. Long before you see them, you hear them — the distinct sound of bells echoing through Divar’s quiet lanes.
Unlike organised festivals, Potekar has no fixed structure. Locals roam through streets, homes, and courtyards, teasing residents playfully while maintaining anonymity. Voices are altered, identities hidden, and even close neighbours struggle to recognise one another. In return, households often offer sweets, snacks, or drinks — turning the experience into a warm community exchange. Though often compared to Halloween because of masks and playful surprise, Potekar is not about horror. It is about temporarily shedding identity, celebrating freely before Lent, and strengthening community bonds. It acts as a social equaliser — for a few days, everyone becomes just another masked figure.
There is no formal record of when the tradition began. Local stories suggest it evolved from old village customs where anonymity allowed self-expression before the solemnity of Lent. Over time, it naturally merged with Goa’s Carnival spirit. Potekar is celebrated over three days leading up to Ash Wednesday, with dates changing each year according to the Christian calendar. More than a spectacle, Potekar is living oral history — unpolished, intimate, and deeply Goan. Visitors are welcome, but respectful observation is essential.
This is not a staged performance; it is a tradition that belongs first and foremost to the people of Divar. Potekar is best experienced slowly, after sunset, guided only by curiosity — and the sound of cowbells in the dark.
