Goa, Feb. 27 -- The word 'Potekar' comes from the 'Potem' meaning someone carrying a sack. In the olden days, three days prior to Lent, the elders of the village of Divar would move around the village wearing rags, covered their face with a mask so as to conceal their identity as they became 'Potekars' for fun during the Carnival celebrations. They would carry their 'Potem', a jute bag on their shoulders and roam in disguise. Not forgetting the string of brass bells tied around their waist usually meant for cattle. The very sound of the bells would keep the children on their toes. The parents then would take the advantage of the 'Potekars' to instil fear in the minds of their children who played mischief, made fuss to eat their food, etc....