The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul is a liturgical feast in honour of the martyrdom in Rome of the
apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul, which is observed on June 29. In the New
Testament, Peter was a fisherman in Bethsaida and among the first of Jesus’s
disciples. The feast is traditionally celebrated by fishermen all over Goa as
the festival of Sangodd and marks the start of the ‘rampon’ fishing activity. A
special stage comprising a decorated chapel is erected atop fishing boats that
are tied together.
In Candolim, the traditional ‘Sangodd’ festival dates back to
over a century and is celebrated with great enthusiasm at the Orda jetty, with
an entertainment programme in Konkani. A stage is erected on four fishing boats
that have been tied together, with a wooden chapel erected on it, which is used
as the stage for the evening of Konkani music and comedy. The tradition of
celebrating the festival has been consistently carried forward over generations
and their faith in the Saint has only increased over the years.
Peter Fernandes, a member of the organising committee, informs,
“The Sangodd will begin by 3:30pm at the St Cruz Chapel in Orda, Candolim,
where the villagers will say prayers and sing hymns in the chapel. From there,
we will proceed to the Orda jetty, where the boats are prepared especially for
Sangodd. This year, Seby de Divar and his troupe will be performing Konkani
songs and comedy skits. The Sangodd will then sail to another cross on the
banks of the river for prayers and turn and return back to the Orda jetty.”
In Ribandar, for over 105 years, the feast of St Peter is
celebrated on June 29, when the entire village gathers to seek the blessings of
the Saint on the river banks. “Sangodd is celebrated to pray for the safety and
bounty of fishermen from Ribandar. The celebrations begin when the Parish
Priest of Ajuda Church, Fr Lawrence Fernandes, takes the statue of St Peter in
a procession from Ajuda Church, Ribandar. The priest gets onto the two boats
that are tied together in the river, along with the brass band. The Sangodd
takes a ride in the river right from the jetty opposite the church to the Goa
Institute Management, where it takes a turn and comes back to St Peter’s
Chapel, which is located in between Solar dos Colaco and Camelot. Holy water is
sprinkled on the river to bless it and the fishermen dip their fishing nets
into the water and pray for safety and a great catch for the entire year. The
hymns of Saints Peter and Paul are sung on the Sangodd. Once back in the
church, during the Eucharistic celebrations, some fishermen offer their canoes
and motors, sacrificing the fishing for two days, as St Peter is the patron
saint of the fishing community and always protects them,” says Michael
Fernandes, President of St Peter Chapel, Ribandar.
“The
evening activities will begin at 4pm when all the villagers will get together
for a procession in the traditional canoes in the river known as ‘Traditional
Sangodd’. The ride in the river is enjoyed by every member of the community,
young and old, to the beats of a brass band. When the canoe heads back to the
jetty, the villagers with head for a quick dip in a big well where Sao Joao was
recently celebrated with the newlywed couples. The litany is said in the
evening at 8pm at St Peter Chapel, Ribandar, followed by dinner. Many local
fishermen offer their catch of day for this celebration,” adds Michael.
