Bhadap

The women of the Kunabi (also called Kullabi) community, considered to be the earliest settlers of Goa, perform the autumnal dance called Bhadap, derived from Bhadrapad (also called Bhadrav), the lunar month corresponding to August/September. Bhadap dance is ceremonially performed on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi that falls on the fourth lunar day (tithi) of the bright fortnight of the month of Bhadrapad. The Kunabi women dance it informally throughout the autumn whenever they find an opportunity. The Kunabis are agriculturists. During autumn the crops growing in he fields require watching at night to save them from the predatory animals. The men folk go to the fields after dinner to watch the crops. Women find it an opportune time to dance, especially if it is moonlit night. They often dance through-out the night. Although the dancers are all women the accompanying musicians are all men. The accompanying percussion music is provided by Ghumat, Samel and Jhanj. The songs that accompany the dance depict the family life, social life and the beauty of the nature. The dancers wear their nine yard handloom saris typically attired. They wear other ornaments including the nose ring.