Molcornem, a village in Quepem, played host to a unique and ancestral village ritual, ‘Sheni Uzo’,on the first full moon night before Holi. It is a dazzling sight to witness the fire sparks light up the night sky as people from the Hindu and Christian communities that live there participate in this unique festival.
The festivities are held around the Mallikarjun temple.The ceremony begins with the creation of sparks at all the shrines in the village, starting with the shrine of Zalmi, which is considered to be the founding father of the village.
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They use dried cow dung cakes known as ‘sheni’ and leaves that when hit against each other causes sparks (uzo), and while villagers walk through the fire dance created by select villagers. Areca nut tree trunks from select plantations are carried by men who have observed a strict vegetarian diet almost eight days before the event. They, not only form three rows, where villagers walk through the tunnel of ‘Sheni Uzo’, but later on, they climb the same tree trunks, while the sheni is flung on their backs and they proudly endure the sparks.The men who perform the ritual have been taught from a young age and for them, it is a matter of great pride and honour.
The areca nut tree trunks come from the plantations of select families that are chosen every year and the ritual of carrying the trunks around the temple is a big part of the ceremony. The trunks that are thrown in the air and caught as they come down are also accompanied by a drum beat that is unique and characteristic of their village customs.
