World Daman Day 2009

Reconnoitering

Speaking Eating Staying Dressing Socializing Working Studying Playing

Celebrating

Shopping Exploring K.I.T

Subscribe To This Site

World Daman Day 2009

World Daman Day 2009 was launched as early as 26th January 2009 with a string of events happening worldwide, leading to the big day itself on or around the 20th of August 2009.

The theme for WDD-09 was, Viva Damão! Come, Discover Daman!

The celebrations opened with a bang on one of Daman’s most famous rooftops - the ‘Lime Lite’ - the rooftop restaurant of Hotel Gurukripa in Small Daman where the ‘Seafood Festival,’ featuring a Daman/Goan theme was launched.

roof-top-restaurant-daman

(Above) Mrs. Maria Da Graca Da Rocha, Country Coordinator (WDD-India/Daman), scans the menu.

On offer was an assortment of fish, crab, prawn, lobster, salads, rice 'chappatis' (unleavened flat break), cocktails and Portuguese/Konkani music and a great, fun-loving crowd!

Damanense sea food

food stalls

Louella Gama, a fierce protector of Damanense culture, inspects and samples the food to ascertain it's authentic Damanense fare!

As in 2008, the main events of World Daman Day 2009 was celebrated worldwide in August 2009...

UK Holland – 16th August 2009

UAE (Fujairah) – 20th August 2009

UK (Leicester) – 22nd August 2009

UK (Peterborough) – 23rd August 2009

Daman – 30th August 2009

In Daman itself, there was a football match organized by Ralph Miranda on the 16th of August 2009, at the football ground in Big Daman.

In a country dominated by cricket, football, a Portuguese legacy, continues to be Daman’s favourite sport with Damanense footballers enjoying local celebrity status!

Daman vs Portugal football teams

The two teams specially formed for the event were named, ‘Damão’ (sporting green vests) and ‘Portugal’ (red vests).

Damão won 2-1!

The main event, showcasing the culture, was celebrated in Daman on the 30th of August, after the Sunday mass from 7pm to 10pm in the Parish Hall in Big Daman as per the program below:

*Opening Song – ‘Saudades’

*Traditional Portuguese Dance

*Portuguese play – ‘Duas Vizinhas’

*Mando

*Portuguese songs

*Music talent show by young guitarists/keyboardists/other instrumentalists.

*Pooled Dinner – Strictly Damanense cuisine

*Official drink: Daman’s reply to fenny – ‘Benslor'

Welcome song

The members of the troupe, "Caravel" sang a number of traditional Portuguese songs to the accompaniment of acoustic guitars.

The Vira

The local Portuguese folk dance troupe, "Caravel," performed the "Vira" and earned a resounding applause from the audience.

Portuguese play - duas vizinhas

A Portuguese play, "Duas Vizinhas" was written and directed by Mrs. Maria Da Graca Da Rocha, group leader of "Caravel".

Toddy Tapper of Daman

The toddy tapper has been part of Damanense folklore for ages. Innumerable paintings of Damanense sunsets depict the silhouette of the toddy tapper climbing down the toddy palm tree ('Kaajoori').

Damanense cuisine

Pooled dinner was nothing but exclusively Damanense cuisine from a number of kitchens across town! The official drink for World Daman Day 2009 was "Benslor," a fiery local liquor.

Dancing

Then followed more dancing. This was not the usual robotic performances meted out to visiting dignitaries:) The show was cent-per-cent participative - besides, ‘all were invited!!’

More dancing

As any Damanense will tell you - the best part of any Damanense party is after the party! This is when you just do your own thing. Eight-year old Noe who barely started walking in July 2008 danced all evening - he was the last to leave the hall but not till his mother promised a repeat of World Daman Day 2009 the following year.

Like Noe, the Damanenses just couldn’t get enough and look forward to World Daman Day 2010

Viva Damão! Come, Discover Daman!

Share your story of Daman Day 2009!

Did you attend Daman Day 2009? If so, tell us about your experience and share your photographs of the event here. If not, then too have your say!

Viva Damão! Come, Discover Daman!

Enter Your Title

Tell Us Your Story! [ ? ]

Upload 1-4 Pictures or Graphics (optional) [ ? ]

Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional)

Click here to upload more images (optional)

Author Information (optional)

To receive credit as the author, enter your information below.

Your Name	(first or full name)
Your Location	(ex. City, State, Country)

Submit Your Contribution

Check box to agree to these submission guidelines.

(You can preview and edit on the next page)

World Daman Day 2008

World Daman Day 2010

Back to World Daman Day

Return to Discover Daman Home Page

SBI!