It was a rare and memorable event for those who witnessing it for the first time
The Fernandes family host the Roce ceremony in California-USA.
Photo Credits: Angelo D’Souza
CALIFORNIA
Hosting a Roce ceremony has been a tradition prior to marriages in Goa, but when the ceremony was celebrated with traditional fervour in California-USA, it was a rare and memorable event for Goans showcasing their culture and those who were witnessing it for the first time.
Micheal Fernandes, who traces his roots to Paroda in South Goa, decided to celebrate the Roce ceremony in traditional Goan style, for his son, Arnold, and his bride, Amelia (Amy) Jasinski, especially since Amy and her family had never witnessed the ceremony before.
And making that celebration possible was The Tinto, a food and event-management company in California, which planned, prepared and presented the entire event, including the cuisine.
What’s more, The Tinto had even prepared little pamphlets to explain what the tradition meant, and the steps involved for the bride and her family.
SHOWCASING GOAN TRADITION
Joseph Lourenço, co-founder of The Tinto, said hosting a beautiful Goan tradition like the Roce ceremony was indeed a gift for them at The Tinto.
“Our first ever Goan Roce ceremony in California was a thrilling experience, filled with anticipation and excitement as we embraced vibrant traditions and rituals,” said Lourenço.
Joseph Lourenço, co-founder of The Tinto, and a team member prepare traditional Goan delicacies and other cuisine.
“What was crucial to us was representing our Goan traditions not only to our fellow Goans now living in the US but also to the non-Goans, who were new to the culture.”
“Our goal was not only to highlight the culture and traditions but also to make it warm and welcoming to all those who were new to it.”
Lourenço said such events nurture a sense of belonging for the Goan diaspora and introduces young Goans, many experiencing it for the first time, as well as non-Goans, to the rich heritage, cuisine, music, and art of Goa.
“Such displays are instrumental in bridging distances, celebrating diversity, and promoting understanding among communities.”
“It was exhilarating for us to break free from our usual routines and venture into something new beyond The Tinto’s Goan food boxes and pop-up food booths. We were thrilled to contribute to the creation, highlighting, and promotion of an unforgettable experience that will be cherished as treasured memories.”
“Through a live traditional event brimming with delectable food, enchanting music, and boundless love, we not only celebrated our culture but also shared it with newfound friends and family. So grateful to Michael and his family who entrusted us with this task.”
APPRECIATING THE CEREMONY
The Fernandes family were pleased with the Roce ceremony and appreciated The Tinto for organising the event.
“Goans love celebrating, and Roce has always been the heart of our family weddings in Mumbai and Goa. When Amy, now my daughter-in-law, expressed a keen interest in our culture, we decided to host the Chuddo, Roce, Saddo to give her a taste of our traditions,” said Michael.
“The Tinto team played an integral role in organising and managing the event. They dedicated a lot of time to planning, paying meticulous attention to every detail, from the palm-themed décor to the Vojem with Doce, Pinagr, and other delicacies. And the food -- divine.”
“It wasn’t ‘American Goan’ but truly authentic ‘Goan Goan’ in flavour and spice. Every guest thoroughly enjoyed the meal, and even my large family visiting from India were very impressed by the food and the atmosphere.”
“To add to the authenticity, the rains decided to join us, making it a true ‘Monsoon Roce’ just like back home. A big thank you to The Tinto and their team for making this event a grand success,” added Michael.
Astrid, the groom's sister and bridesmaid, also shared her thoughts: “The team at The Tinto managed to encapsulate the essence of a Goan Roce perfectly at my brother Arnold and Amy's Roce this April.”
“From the beautiful décor that included fruits, palm leaves, woven fences, they helped bring the beauty of Goa to a cold, rainy day in the Bay Area. Apart from the gorgeous setup, my other favourite was the food! From classic and delicious Goan items like the shrimp Rissois, croquettes, and Vonn to fusion items, including the Biria style Beef tacos at a live BBQ counter for our non-Goan guests, it was a treat for the folks missing Goa and a new experience for the others.”
“Truly appreciate all the work that The Tinto did to set this up,” said Astrid.
