Sao Joao will be celebrated with great pomp
across the State as the church celebrates only three birthdays, Jesus Christ,
Mother Mary and St John the Baptist. In Goa, the festivity takes on a colour of
its own as Goans wear fresh flowers and fruits adorned in headgears called
‘Kopels’ and chant out ‘Viva Re Sao Joao’.
Aldona
“Naikawaddo and Castlewaddo in Aldona have
been celebrating the feast of St John the Baptist for over 100 years”, informs
Francis Fernandes who has been part of the festivities right from his
childhood. Now 65 years old, Francis will be heading out today to celebrate the
festival with the rest of the ward members and seven newlywed couples, “The
members of the ward of meet at around 5pm and go out in a procession to the
houses of the newly married couples, new-born babies and then, along with them,
go out to celebrate the festival of Sao Joao. We will sing Mandes for the
newlywed couples in their houses and they will offer us ‘Dhalis’ which include
mangoes, bananas, pineapples and jackfruits, a bottle of Port Wine and Cashew
Feni. We then proceed from the ward, passing through St Sebastian Chapel and
finally gather at a well to celebrate with Ghumotts and songs dedicated to Sao
Joao”, says Francis
Morjim
In Morjim, a special Sangodd will be
celebrated with two beautifully decorated boats. As Constancio Fernandes of
Temb Waddo describes it, “At around 3pm, we set out in the decorated Sangodd
boats for a round in the water and return to the shores of St Anthony’s Chapel
at 4pm. The village gathers there to celebrate the festival with newlywed
couples, where we sing songs while playing the Ghumott and distributing the
fresh fruits. This will be followed by the performance of V4, a live band and a
rain dance.” The villagers of Chapora, Vagator, Anjuna and Siolim also join the
Morjim villagers to celebrate the feast of St John the Baptist.
Benaulim
Since the risk of losing life is higher
while jumping in a well, Pedda, Benaulim did away with the tradition and
instead chose to celebrate the festival with music and songs. John Fernandes is
part of the Sao Joao Boys of St Paul, the parishioners of St John the Baptist
Church who will be celebrating their patron’s feast. “After participating in
the feast mass at 8am at the Church, we parade around Pedda which consists of
nearly a 100 houses which give us fruits and homemade delicacies. By 2 pm, we
complete the parade and come to St Paul’s Chapel for the cultural program.
While partaking of fresh Sannas, Vodde and Pattoleos, we enjoy songs sung by
local singers which usually comprise of tiatrists from the village,” says John.
There will be traditional games like a coconut breaking contest, tug of war for
women, best outfit and best Kopel.
Siolim
One cannot forget to mention the Siolim
Traditional Boat Festival when it comes to Sao Joao in Goa. Held for more than
a quarter of a century, the festival attracts revellers from different parts of
Goa and they are rewarded for it too. This year, the Siolim Sao Joao
Traditional Boat Festival Committee celebrates 25 years and they will be giving
away six gold coins as spot prizes. “The coins have been sponsored by people
from Kuwait, Qatar, UK, and three by people from Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai. We will
be celebrating the Feast Mass at 6.30am and the festivities will begin by
3.30pm. There will be 9-10 boats coming in from the neighbouring villages and
Siolim will be represented by two boats,” says Sylvester Fernandes, President
of the Committee. It is a treat to see artistic headgear made by the revellers
who are awarded for the best ‘Kopel’ too.
The boat parade will make their way through
the river to the creek opposite St Anthony’s Church. The Cross will be crowned
with a colourful flower ‘Kopel’ and the participants will get on stage to
introduce themselves and sing a song. The best decorated boat will be awarded.
The programme will include performances by Comedian Joanna, Tony de Ribandar,
Seby de Divar, Johnny B Gud, Bushka and mimicry artiste Manohar Bhingui, apart
from Mando performances.
Socorro
Meanwhile, the Jackfruit will take centre
stage at the Sao Joao celebrations at Carrem, Socorro. Organised by Socorro
Socio Art and Cultural Association, Porvorim, Sao Joao is dubbed as ‘Ponsachem
Fest’ as the village wants to highlight the advantages of the jackfruit in Goan
dishes. “We organised a Kopel-making workshop for children to teach them to
make their own biodegradable Kopel and one for every person that comes for the
festival. The visitors will be given one for free. There will also be live
demonstration on how to make ‘Jaquada’, a jackfruit jam which is almost
forgotten,” says Marius Fernandes. Dr Roshan Nazareth will speak on the need to
save water and water harvesting. There will be a Konkani programme featuring a
new Sao Joao song composed by Vera Pereira, and Cedric Gomes and his troupe
will entertain the gathering with Konkani classics. Even free jackfruit
saplings, and fish to be put in ponds and wells to eliminate mosquitoes, will
be given out.
