There is something special about our Goemchi Festam - the Village Church Feasts where the Catholic Community pays tribute to the Deity or Patron Saint of the respective Church and Village. After the Novenas and the Vespers, spiced up with many a meaningful sermao, comes the much awaited Feast Day. Religious services at the Low Mass, followed by the Feast Mass or High Mass, normally a Solemn and Concelebrated Mass.
After the Mass comes the Pursanv around the Church Quadrangle, accompanied to the tunes of hymns and the Brass Band. The statue / the deity is respectfully taken around under a canopy by the officiating Priests, the Confraria Irmao and the faithful. The joyful pealing of the Church Bells enhances the din of the fugotti and gonnel, adding to the festive fervour and appeal. After the final Blessings it is “Boas Festas”, “Festachim Porbimm” or a “Happy Feast” to one and all. Then, hurriedly, home sweet home – your own or that of your host.
The aromas of the traditional Festache Jevonn beckon..... Sorpotael, Fejoada, solantulem, cabidel, Sanna, a chicken roast, cafreal or a xacutti, an estou, roast-bif, a salade, and the famad “Goan pulao”, plain or enhanced with the equally famad “Goenchem choriss”. Custard, jelly, a caramel pudding or more to crown the ruchik jevonn with sweetness and bonding. Can’t leave out the wine, beer, and other uppers for spirited company and cheer. While not everyone may set forth such elaborate spreads, it is after all, amcho Festacho Dis. So, there will be at least something “especial” in all homes.
In earlier times when the Feast was sponsored or celebrated by a local villager or a “President”, a lunch would be hosted, attended by the invitees – church dignitaries, neighbours, villagers, friends, soiream, daiream and familia. Community spirit prevailed. Every festakar was given a glass of cheer, a plate and taste of the jevonn. The beaming President and his family were showered with heartfelt thanks and “Devache Bessaum”.
There was happiness and goodwill all around. And finally, a round of those fugotti to signify the end or completion of the jevonn.
The day is not yet done. Curtains have not yet come down on the Festacho Dis. Often a friendly football match in the evening against a neighbouring village Club or a prowess testing “Married v/s Bachelors” kick-off. At night, a Feast Dance, popular with the younger folk, could prompt a rush for tables.
And then, there has always been that other crowd puller promoting a charge for a kodel. None other than that “de rigueur” Tiatr. Goa’s popular, traditional local language entertainer, guaranteed to enthral the festakar, family, guests and friends and spread around plentiful laughter, mirth and a sense of Goemcarponn.
Come 6th of January, and bells peal joyfully for the Feast of Nossa Senhora dos Remedios, across the Churches of Goa. It is also the day on which the faithful commemorate and celebrate the Epiphany and the adoration of the Baby Jesus by the Magi or Three Wise Men and is also known as the Feast of the Three Kings.
Here in amchem Goem, this celebration of Three Kings is given pride of place in the historical villages of Reis Magos, Goa’s ancient capital of Chandor and the village of Cuelim of the Cansaulim Parish, whose 1599 hilltop Chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Remedios [built by the Jesuit priest, Fr. Gonçalo Carvalho] is painted not only with whitewash, but also with legend and lore.
Did you read “Tiatrs”? These popular stage shows are a part and parcel of the Goan psyche, spirit and way of life. No Village Fest is complete without a popular teatro being presented by noted Directors and cast, or patronised by the teatro-loving villagers.
At Cuelim - Cansaulim, down in the village, Prince Jacob presents “Fatima Saibinn, Bhorvanxeachi Maim” in the late evening of the 6th.
On the same day, at the Reis Magos Village, after sunset, popular Director Lawrie Travasso and his Troupe will showcase “Ya Tiatrak Nau Diat”.
Chandor gets a double whammy. Not to be missed Tiatrs on 6th and 7th of January, respectively, 7.00 p.m. onwards are the
Roseferns production “Bhirant Asa Pun Loz Nam” and Ulhas Tari’s “Don Dis Sonvsarantle”. Catch the celebrations wherever convenient and give yourself an experience of Goan festivity, culture and tradition.
