Sao Joao, the feast of St John the Baptist, is celebrated across Goa with leaps of joy into wells and other water bodies that are overflowing with rain water. Every village has its own way of celebrating the feast. Café takes its readers across four villages – Saligao, Socorro, Pomburpa and Siolim – to learn about their celebrations
Sao Joao is celebrated with great pomp across the state. The festivity takes on a colour of its own with Goans wearing headgears called ‘kopel’, adorned with fresh flowers and sometimes even fruit and chanting out ‘Viva Re Sao Joao’. Every village bursts out with life as the monsoons bring on a new energy to add flavour for this festival. However, some villages go out of their way to invite others to join in their own celebrations.
The programme in Saligao usually begins with a prayer near the church well followed by a brass band leading the procession to the venue. The program includes folk dances, Konkani songs and music and culminates with piping hot Goan traditional food. The villagers make hundreds of colourful ‘kopels’ for the participants of Sao Joao.
The festival in Socorro too begins with a short prayer at the Socorro church and then a procession to mark the beginning of the Ponsachem Fest. Besides servings of fresh jackfruit, the jackfruit infused menu includes dishes like Jaffee (jackfruit coffee), jackfruit biryani, jackfruit boiled seeds and also a display of jackfruit products. The eco friendly festival has entertainment in the form of ‘Ghumtacho Naaz’, Konkani music, comedy skits, Goan dances and live demonstrations about jackfruits.
Held for more than a quarter of a century, Siolim Sao Joao Traditional Boat Festival is a hard to miss annual festival that attracts revellers from different parts of Goa.The festivity begins with the boat parade comprising boats making their way through the river to the creek opposite the St Anthony Church. The Cross is then crowned with a colourful flower ‘kopel’ and the participants get on stage to introduce themselves and sing a song. Boats from Siolim and the neighbouring villages of Vagator, Chapora, Anjuna, Badem and Assagao are annual participants. The best decorated boat is awarded prizes.
The entertainment for the evening includes songs by noted tiatrists , singers who perform on the stage set on the banks of the creek. There are prizes for the best ‘kopel’ as well as loads of spot prizes including for the farthest travelled revellers. There is a fireworks display to conclude the event. All one has to do is dress in colourful clothes and wear the most decorative and artistically prepared headgear out of flowers and fresh fruits – and have fun!
Source: O Heraldo (https://www.heraldgoa.in/Cafe/Goa-comes-alive-with-the-colours-of-Sao-Joao/132479)
