ERWIN FONSECA
SIOLIM: Christmas in Goa is a celebration not just of joy and tradition, but of creativity and unity among faiths. In Siolim’s Marna, Francis D’Souza exemplifies this spirit. For the past 15 years, the young man, who works at a college in Mapusa, has devoted himself to creating unique cribs every Christmas. What makes his work stand out is its originality, cultural touch, and the role it plays in fostering interfaith bonds.
“Every year, my crib is completely different. Nothing is repeated,” says Francis, whose intricate cribs draw visitors from all corners of Goa. Interestingly, many of these visitors are Hindus, which he considers the most satisfying aspect of his work.
Francis traces his passion to the late parish priest of Siolim, Rev. Fr. Britto Furtado. “Fr. Britto encouraged Siolim’s youth to work together to create cribs during Christmas. He would bring judges from outside to evaluate them, turning it into a healthy competition. This motivated me to keep improving, year after year,” Francis recalls, crediting the priest for awakening a sense of community and creativity among local youth.
Each year, Francis’s entire family, numbering about 20 members including cousins, comes together two months before Christmas to start work on the crib. “The theme is planned a year in advance, though this year we faced some delays due to prolonged monsoons,” he notes.
Despite the significant effort and cost—around Rs 1 lakh annually—Francis does not ask for donations. Whatever contributions he receives voluntarily are carried over for the next year. “Even with donations, we still spend about a lakh each year. But the joy and public appreciation make it worthwhile,” he says, recalling an incident from last year when a wheelchair-bound visitor made a special trip to see the crib.
Francis’s cribs are rooted in Goan culture and feature eco-friendly materials such as jute, paper, fibre, grass, and bamboo mats. This year, his family sourced a particular type of grass all the way from Camurlim. The current crib is centred on the theme of the exposition while preserving a Goan cultural essence. “This year, we included a first floor in the design. It was planned last year, but executing it was a challenge. We had to sacrifice several functions and work late nights to complete it in time,” Francis explains.
For Francis, crib-making is more than a craft; it is an opportunity to bring people of different faiths together. “It’s heartening to see the number of Hindus who visit the crib. It’s proof of how Christmas can foster unity in a diverse community like ours.”
His dedication and talent have earned him recognition from Goa’s art and culture department, which has honoured him on several occasions. But Francis insists that his true reward is the joy he brings to people, as well as the pride and unity his cribs inspire in his family and the broader community.
