On ‘dia de festa’ (the feast day), in the early hours of the morn, a five piece brass band welcomes the dawn —- “Alvorada”. Its music soothes the ears and swells the heart with joy and wakes up the sleeping villagers.
‘Dona de casa’ (housewife) rises up from her bed, dips her hand in dishpan and with pleasure struggles, to prepare “ghar ka khana” —-‘sanna vode festache’ (steamed rice muffins and flour fritters); and mouth-watering, lip-smacking dishes to generously spread on the festive table. Her kitchen is her playground where she works like a high powered machine. The ‘Igreja’ (Church) is painted white and dressed like a bride on her wedding day. It is decorated with, flowers, festoons, buntings and beaded bulbs.
The home is also highlighted with new ‘almofadas’ (cushions) and new ‘cortina’ (curtains) making it look like a ‘logist deddi’ (shy bridesmaid). Festive decoration is a triumph of hard work and imagination.
The flower girls who get up to attend the first Mass, powder their face, smooth their gowns, eye it critically in the mirror and then like ships they go sailing down the streets for the morning Mass. After the celebration of the Eucharist, these little flowers stand outside the Church and greet people by pinning the paper flowers on the lapels.
The ‘procissao’ (procession) is coloured with ‘Opmus’ (coloured capes) of ‘Confraria’ (brotherhood) who carry lighted candles with pride and pomp. The procession moves slowly through the ‘feira’ (fair); with great devotion it passes by the ‘quermesse’ (church fete); while the silver bell of the Church peels joyfully, like a merry heart leaping with joy.
The choir master controls the celestial choir of ten voices which rise to stentorian heights as if asking the whole world to listen to them. The ‘foger’ (fireman), burns his ‘fog’ (fireworks) and explodes ‘fozne’ (mortars) which drowns the devotional music and fills heaven and Earth with the smell of gun powder. For the Mass inside the Church, Oh! Who would not want? For a space to stand inside the Church, Oh! Who would not like?
But since the Church is crammed up to bursting point on the feast day, the “Mando Goecho” from the film “Amchem Noxib” sings —- “Festa dis ferien mis”. Some say that the Roman God of love runs around in the feast fair. This is evidence from the love tokens expressed in the same song: “Happy feast munn chedde cheddvanc ditat kiss.” Many give witness to the fact that Cupid drives many dashing dandies and blushing beauties to catch and match on the feast day. And this makes many to say that marriages, although, made in Heaven, its thunder and lightning are seen on Earth.
Goans have a splendid feast meal. It is ruled by. ‘cerveja’ (beer) and consists of sannas, sorpatel, assado de leitao (roasted pigling) and aros refugado. When Sun descends into the ocean bed and dusk falls on this blessed Earth, cheerful communities organize some ‘divertimento’ (amusement) in the form of open air Festive Ball, where girls dance under the starry sky. Those who do not run to shake their legs go and sit in an open air enclosure to watch ‘Tiatr’ (drama).
The villagers love their village feast and experience the same old joy which their fathers and grandfathers felt. Things around us change but not Goa’s “festa dis”.
