Goff is a folk dance performed mostly by the peasants of
Goa. A dance form with sticks, it celebrates the joys of a good harvest. This dance form is a major attraction during the festive season of the
Shigmo.
The dance is accompanied with the rhythmic music of Ghumat, Samael and Surta Shansi. At first, each performer holds a string hanging at the centre point of the 'mand', the place where the dance is performed. Then they start dancing elaborately with the others, forming a stunning and intricate braid. Again they start dancing in the reverse pattern and the braid gets unraveled. Thus the cord gets loosed and is made single again.
Goff consist of four different braids and its songs are dedicated to Lord Krishna. It possesses some similarities with tribal dance forms of Gujarat.
