We the Goans start the Sao Joao feast by attending the church services mass in the morning time. The Sao Joao festival is an annual Christian feast started by a Baptist St. John that is celebrated as a water festival. It is an exciting and traditional festival that is celebrated on June 24 every year by the local people of Goa during the monsoon season. But due to the Feast of Sacred Heart of Jesus which is scheduled on June 24, 2022 Friday, this year Sao Joao festival will be celebrated on Thursday June 23, 2022.
This Monsoon Feast has special significance in Christianity as it is dedicated to St John the Baptist, the firebrand prophet. Christian scripture tells us of John the Baptist leaping for joy in his mother, Elizabeth’s womb when she was told of Jesus’ birth. John, the Baptist later went on to baptize Jesus in the river Jordan. The well is considered to be a representation of Elizabeth’s womb and a jump into it a sign of joy for the birth of Christ.
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Sao Joao festival in Goa state is celebrated with lots of fun and joy in a very special Goan style as young children wear crowns made of fresh flowers, leaves and fruits called ‘kopels ‘ in Konkani and get ready with the money box and go to each and every house singing O Re Sao Joao song and Mandos. Even all the elders wear the crown. The newly married brides carry and serve different types of fruits like bananas, apple, mangos and jackfruits to all the people in the ward. There are many traditional Goan foods which include sorpotel and sannas, feijoada, sausage pulao, patoleo among other foods and plenty of Goa cashew and coconut feni to go around and camaraderie to top it all off. Some enjoy the soro like whiskey and beers. People gather together to have fun and enjoy good company. People sing and dance with the beat of Ghumot and Kansrallem. Men jump in the well to retrieve gifts thrown in by the villagers. Rest all dance, jump in swimming pool, ponds, river and available water bodies along with rain dance with live music performance in Konkani and English. There is also a football matches played during the evening between married and bachelors. In villages like Siolim in North Goa there is colourful boat race festival along with various cultural activities, competitions and Konkani live drama and song’s by our Goan star’s.
Sao Joao festival in Goa State is full of fun but it is always better to be careful and alert to avoid any injuries. Take care while jumping in the well and do not drive under the influence of alcohol. Drink Soro within the limit because your safety is in your own hands. We do not want anyone of our Goan brother and sister to lose their life on the special day of Sao Joao feast and later blame Sao Joao for the accidents. Enjoy the Sao Joao festival in a safe manner.
