Goa's Haldi Kumkum Tradition Embraces Inclusivity Beyond Married Women
In the coastal state of Goa, the festive period following Makar Sankranti holds special significance for Hindu women, as it marks the cherished Haldi Kumkum ritual. This traditional practice, deeply rooted in local culture, typically involves married women visiting each other's homes to exchange gifts known as 'vainn', along with turmeric and vermilion. For generations, participation has been strictly limited to those with living husbands, creating a social boundary that many are now challenging.
Breaking Barriers: Personal Stories of Inclusion
Sonia Devidas, a retired nurse from the state directorate of health services and resident of Vasco, has taken a progressive approach to this ritual. Having regarded her younger colleague Karishma Kerkar as a daughter for years, Sonia was determined to prevent social isolation when Karishma's husband passed away suddenly during the pandemic. "I was always against the discrimination that only women with husbands should be made part of it," Sonia explained. "I have continued to invite anyone I used to earlier, regardless of their status now. If you want to discriminate and do not respect people, you should not do the Haldi Kumkum."
This year's Haldi Kumkum season, observed from January 14 through Ratha Saptami on January 25, saw more women following Sonia's example. Karishma Kerkar, an extension educator from Nuvem who conducts awareness talks in schools for the Directorate of Health Services, shared her perspective: "We have come a long way today after abolishing practices like 'sati', shaving a widow's head, etc. When we have taken such big leaps, what is the big deal about having kumkum applied on our forehead? Not just widows, even divorcee women, unmarried women should all get equal status."
Academic Support for Changing Traditions
Kajal Rivankar, an assistant professor in the social work programme at Goa University and a Mapusa resident, has also been actively working to break these taboos. "After Covid, I decided to not discriminate and to invite widowed or unmarried women too for the Haldi Kumkum," she said. "I perform all the rituals for all invitees uniformly. My mother-in-law and aunt are widows; even if you invite them, they do not come, so I make it a point to go to their home and give them the vainn."
Kajal's commitment stems from childhood observations of discriminatory practices against widows. "Earlier, widows were not invited even for marriages, and even if invited, they would remain inside, hidden in the background," she recalled. "As a child when you accompany women, you are given the vainn, then why discriminate when you grow up for not having a husband?"
The Broader Implications for Social Norms
This shift in Goa's Haldi Kumkum tradition represents more than just a change in guest lists; it signals a growing awareness about gender equality and social inclusion within traditional practices. The ritual, which centers on the exchange of turmeric (haldi) and vermilion (kumkum), is now becoming a platform for challenging outdated norms that have long marginalized women based on their marital status.
The movement toward inclusivity, led by women like Sonia, Karishma, and Kajal, demonstrates how cultural traditions can evolve while maintaining their essence. By extending invitations to widowed and unmarried women, they are fostering a more compassionate community that values all women equally, regardless of their relationship status. This progressive approach not only enriches the ritual but also strengthens social bonds across different life circumstances.
