Photo Credits: azphotography
AUCKLAND
Goans in New Zealand celebrated São João with traditional fervour at the Freemans Bay Community Centre, Auckland, on June 22.
The event was held under the banner ‘Goan Cultural Evening’ which was themed on Goan culture, and was meticulously planned to be a fun-filled and enjoyable evening.
The Freemans Bay Community Centre was filled to capacity with 270 attendees and the event was so popular that entry tickets sold out within days of going on sale.
Lazarus and Adelia Serrao designed and created a well as a photograph booth. This was placed near the entrance of the hall, and was very popular as attendees captured memories and recreated the experience of the leap in the well, as is traditionally done in Goa on the feast of São João.
Also on display were traditional utensils used in Goan households like Kundlems, Udkacho Kombulo Modko, Kailoto and Dholo.
With religious faith and prayer at the centre of Goan culture, Goans started the event with a prayer and hymn in Konkani. A procession of community members depicting traditional São Joã celebrations in Goa followed.
This was led by Carmelina and Sylvester D’Souza, where all in the procession wore very colourful attire, donned a Kopel and had Sylvester playing the Ghumot. The procession entered the hall singing songs to São João and distributing fruit and pretend feni to everyone.
The MC, Maria Fernandez, took to the stage and the programme commenced with a charming dance by the children. In between performances, comedians, Mario Crasto and Lazarus Serrao, took centre stage and entertained the audience with their wit and humour.
The programme included a wide variety for all age groups. It included a fashion show, a Bollywood styled dance to upbeat Goan songs performed by a dynamic duo of sisters, Viveca and Elisha Dourado, a dance depicting the Goan harvest season performed by women from our community, young musical talent with Joshua Fernandez (bass), Shane DeSouza (drums), Allegra D’Souza singing a Portuguese jazz song and Shania DeSouza singing ‘Bebdo’.
A 25-strong choir sang 5 songs/Mandos and Dulpods in 4-part harmony arranged by local Goan musician and composer from Auckland, Ben Fernandez.
There was also an original Konkani song composed and sung by local Goan tiatrist Agnelo Mascarenhas with Olwyn Almeida accompanying him on the keyboard.
Traditional Goan cuisine was also prepared by Goan caterers, Sofie’s Goan Delights and Dona Lou’s Goan Delicacies on the occasion, which included Goan dishes like Ros omelette, beef tongue roast, and Chouriço Pão and chicken rolls.
“Community events like these are successfully organised because of regular and reliable key sponsors among us. Our continued main sponsor for the Goan Cultural event was JR Tannen, Director of JR Finance,” acknowledged GOANZ President Joel Pereira.
“The event was a resounding success and would not be possible without the hard work and commitment of my entire GOANZ Organising Committee, Lazarus Serrao, Ashley Rodrigues, Calisto Vaz, Sushila Pinto, Lydia Quadros, Nerissa Gonsalves and Naomi Noronha.”
