Feast of the Epiphany
The Cuelim celebration is a spectacle of consolidation, both of history and tradition, says FREDDY DIAS
On 6 January, Catholic communities all over the world celebrate the feast of Epiphany; in commemoration of the successful journey of the Three Wise Men (Magi) from the East, who, under the guidance of a strange star, visited Baby Jesus in a cattle-shed in Bethlehem. According to the Bible, it is the occasion when God revealed himself in human form, in the person of Jesus Christ to the world, through the three wise men, who reached the Infant Jesus with the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh – symbolising Kingship, God-head and suffering of Jesus respectively (Gospel of Mathew, Chapter 2). The feast of Epiphany marks the end of twelve days Christmas celebrations around the globe.
In Goa, Epiphany is celebrated as the ‘Feast of Three Kings’ at Reis Magos-Verem in Bardez, at Chandor in Salcete and at Cuelim-Cansaulim in Mormugao. The feast is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm at all these places. But as far as traditions, rituals, colour and glamour are concerned, the one at the mount of Cuelim exceeds them all. It is here that history and tradition consolidate and create a spectacle to behold.
It is a time of the year when mount Cuelim, that high point of folk destination, plays host to the local denizens and others, as the pretty Chapel on the Mount celebrates its annual feast. For the Catholics as well as people from various other faiths, it is a time to renew acquaintances with the Lady, who guards their little village. It was between the end of 16th and beginning of 17th century that the Franciscan Friars built a small oratory on top of the hill and dedicated it to Nossa Senhora dos Remedios (Our Lady of Remedies).
Traditions die hard in Goa. In pre-Portuguese era, Goa being an agricultural land, had an intricate and elaborate well-knit system of collective living known as ‘gaokarias’ (associations of residents of an area). A member of a ‘gaokaria’ was known as ‘gaokar’ and according to his profession, occupied a place in the hierarchy of the village affairs. Every village had a number of ‘vangodds’ (unions) where ‘gaokars’ were classified as per their profession.
The ‘gaokars’ were the owners of orchard lands and paddy fields, not individually, but as collective dominion. The ‘gaokar’ had several duties to perform in the village hierarchy and in turn, was entitled to a free barber, free lighting of the way, if lost in the night, etc. The Portuguese tried to bring a lot of pressure to do away with these institutions, but were never successful.
As per traditions, Cansaulim, Arossim and Cuelim were agriculture based communities, who lived in peace and harmony due to slow manual labour, few needs and wants, and due to the effective functioning of the hierarchy of ‘vangodds’ of the ‘gaokarias’. For example, at Arossim, the life centered around the ‘Templo de Aros’ (Temple of Rice) before the 16th century. It was only in the 17th century that the Chapel of St Lawrence came into existence. The Catholic Church being the only known religious body in the 16th century, was located at Cansaulim and was known as ‘paroquia de Sao Tome’ (Parish of St. Thomas), but for administrative and spiritual needs, comprised of Cansaulim, Arossim and Cuelim.
The ‘gaokars’ of these villages were very active in those days and in recognition of their devotion to the Church, were allowed to offer their gifts to Infant Jesus on the occasion of Epiphany, but with a certain peculiarity – it was not the adults, but male children aged between seven and ten years; son or a grandson of a ‘gaokar’, who had received the ‘Holy Communion’.
Every year, the ‘gaokars’ choose one ‘vangodd’ in each of the three villages to offer gifts to Infant Jesus at the Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies on the mount of Cuelim. And as January 6 is considered the day when the three Kings (Magi) guided by the star, walked to the manger where Jesus was born and offered their gifts, three young ‘gaokars’ of Cansaulim, Arossim and Cuelim in a romantic mood, take the chivalrous steps of climbing the hill, to offer their gifts like little kings. They are dressed accordingly with a crown adorned with gold trappings, gold bordered red coloured vest to cover the upper part of their body, and a wig of long hair. They climb the hill on horse back by a band of musicians and flag bearers. (to intimidate evil spirits).
There are three separate pathways to reach the base of the hill, one for Cansaulim, one for Arossim and one for Cuelim and once they are there, the three young kings climb together to reach the chapel on the mount, in time for the concelebrated High Mass, at 1030am. There is nearly a stampede when the little Kings reach the top of the hill, with people kissing the Kings, their costumes, etc. Such is the faith of the people.
Soon after reaching the Chapel, each of the Kings places his crown at the altar. The crown of the Cuelim King is placed at the centre and that of Cansaulim and Arossim are placed on the right and left sides of Cuelim, respectively. During the High Mass, the boys are specially blessed by the Priest.
After the solemn mass, the three Kings, their relatives and friends descend the hill and assemble at the Church of St. Thomas in Cansaulim. Later, each King is escorted back to his respective village by his relatives and fellow villagers, and after a thanksgiving litany at his house, the people are treated to a banquet. There is music, with a brass band in attendance, to make the celebrations complete.
From a small chapel feast, the occasion has grown into Goa’s widely attended celebration and a fair with social flavour, which cuts across religious boundaries. The stalls sell traditional Goan sweet meats of varied tastes, including the famous ‘kadyobodyo’ made of ginger, jaggery and a fair sprinkling of ‘til’ and coconut toffees, with little boys and girls tugging at your sleeves pleading to buy their candles and flower garlands. Since the last few years, it has changed in different ways at the organisational as well as, social level. The crowds are also different. Earlier, people from Cansaulim-Arossim-Cuelim and nearby areas formed a large part of the crowds thronging the fair at the Cuelim Chapel feast. However, nowadays, more cosmopolitan and more boisterous young people are present.
The aspirations of the crowds that throng the chapel have also changed over the years. The offerings of wax offered by thousands of pilgrims, once used to include limbs and other parts of the body, a symbol for better health, have also changed. Pilgrims who wished for better health in their prayers to the Virgin, now increasingly ask for more worldly goods like houses, cars, motorcycles and even happy marriages. These are reflected in the stalls which sell these wax offerings. Wax houses, cars and even a male and female couple signifying a happy marriage, now form a prominent share of the sale to pilgrims.
This ten-day festive occasion at the mount of Cuelim has a tremendous potential for tourism, being the high point of folk destination with the panoramic view from the hill, amid the blue waters of the Arabian Sea and the long line of beaches. All that the Tourism department could do is to develop this place by setting up certain infrastructure like adequate parking space for vehicles, electrification of the area and water supply system to start with, for the convenience of the regular pilgrims and tourists alike.
Cuelim needs to be promoted in a big way.
+++++
Nature’s perfect medicine
By Marc de Souza
Exercise is the fountain of youth! Wake up your life by walking. It is a stress-free way to look better, and feel better. Studies in physiology show that exercise by the middle-aged and elderly, can turn back the clock 10 to 25 years.
You do not have to go a long way to find something, as good as exercise, as a fountain of youth. And you do not have to run marathons, to reap the benefits. Little more than rapid walking for thirty minutes at a time, three or four times a week, can provide ten years of rejuvenation.
You have to exercise regularly. It takes many weeks, even months, to reach peak conditioning. Try to maintain an exercise schedule.
Warm up first. The older you are, the more important it is, to prepare the body for exercise. A proper warm-up protects the heart, muscles and joints from injury.
Cool down afterwards. Never stop vigorous exercise abruptly. Joy walk for a while.
Stepping out a day, can melt the pounds away and shed stressful worry. It certainly reduces stress. Active people know from experience, that after exercise, you feel less anxious and think more clearly.
Why this occurs is not completely understood, but walking is, after all, an action that uses almost all of the body’s bones and major muscles.
What makes a good walk? First and foremost, a good walk should be a pleasant sensory experience, be it in the countryside, a beach, or a jogging park, on the clear early morning roads, or anywhere you are comfortable.
The more your senses work with your feet, the more satisfying your walk will be. Birds chirping, water babbling, wind rustling the leaves, waves caressing the seashore and people happily talking, are the symphonic sounds of a good walk. I am reminded of the ‘hello’ man Doctor Fernando Jose Mascarenhas who, on his early morning walk, waving cheerfully, wishes everyone he meets!
For any exercise to increase long-term health benefits, it must be practiced with consistency over a lifetime. And this is where walking has a distinct advantage over other activities that may offer greater short-term training benefits. Walkers are rarely stopped by injuries, so common in other exercises. And walkers keep up their activity, year after year, simply because it is so pleasurable, realising that our bodies were made to hunt and fish, till the good earth, and travel on foot.
Today, millions of people are running, cycling, swimming and walking their way to a healthier, more fulfilling life. Millions wish they could, but do not know where to begin.
A sound pair of shoes is the first priority. Your shoes must support your feet in a forward movement and absorb the shock of each footfall. The most important things to look at are midsole and heel. As a general guide, the shoes should fit your foot at its widest point. Allow about half an inch between your big toe and the end of the shoe. Your heels should fit snugly.
Have you ever wondered about keeping your brain in shape? Many neuro scientists and psychiatrists are adopting the concept of use-it-or-lose-it when it comes to our brains. Seniors should make an attempt to learn a new language, play the piano, and solve crossword puzzles. Try to stretch the brain in a dramatically different direction: juggling and so forth. Yes, brain exercise stops mental deterioration. Stretch and bend the mind in the hope it stays in shape longer.
At all times, avoid junk food and go in for whole foods. You ought to become more aware of a good, balanced diet, rich in natural unrefined and raw foods. Your body needs water: so drink plenty of fresh water to keep your system tuned up.
On my part, each day, I also say a special personal prayer, thanking my Creator for giving me the opportunity and health to do what I love most; knowing if I get stuck in bed, I am dead!
