Sao Joao, one of the most popular festivals of Goa has behind it deep meaning and symbolism related to nature, new beginning, and spirituality
Fr Apollo Cardozo SJ
June 24 across Goa is synonymous with São João. The catholic community celebrate the feast of St. John the Baptist, a contemporary of Jesus Christ on this day, in a rather unique way. It is held at the beginning of the monsoons in Goa. It is celebrated with more enthusiasm and merriment in the North as compared to the South. The uniqueness of the festival consists in the enthusiastic Goans jumping into the wells and other water bodies, such as ponds, water tanks, swimming pools, etc as a mark of tribute to the saint.
The origin of the jumping in the wells or other water bodies seems to be in connection to the aftermath of the visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. On hearing of the visit of Mary, the child leapt in the womb of Elizabeth and joyful Goans enact this historical event symbolically by ‘leaping’ into a water body.
Feast Day traditions
There are a few traditions related to the celebration of the feast of St. John the Baptist which are unique to the state of Goa. In some parts of the state, the celebrations centre round the son-in-law of the household. One tradition speaks of the newly married couple being invited for the celebrations at the bride’s place. The groom is adorned with a kopel (crown), made of guava fruits. Nowadays the groom’s crown is also made of sanjuachi val. Singing merry songs of São João, they proceed to the well and then jump into it. Once the celebrations are over, the couple returns home with an ojem given by the in-laws, consisting of various fruits available during the season such as pineapples, mangoes, bananas, jackfruits, etc., which are meant for the bride’s parents.
Another tradition speaks of the newly married son-in-law, wearing a crown of fruits or flowers, being taken around the village, so as to be introduced to the villagers. The tradition of introducing the son-in-law seems to have arisen after a tragic incident that happened to a certain son-in-law while returning home. It seems that after he visited his in-laws, he was returning back without being introduced to the villagers. On his way back he met with an accident and died. As a result of such an incident, they decided that henceforth they would introduce him to the villagers and they zeroed in on the feast of St. John the Baptist as an appropriate day.
Celebrations today
Various programmes are organised on this day. The young and the old, men and women alike, adorned with crowns made of fresh flowers and palm leaves, visit houses, shouting São João! São João. The crown on the head is symbolic of new life; life in nature with the coming of the rains, green leaves and fresh flowers are now in abundance as the earth turns verdant. The crown is also said to be symbolic of the crown of martyrdom of John the Baptist.
People gather at the wells, tanks, rivers and even at big hotels, to see the revellers jump into these, accompanied by the gummot (drum) and cansaim (cymbals), shouting São João! Viva São João. They jump in to retrieve the gifts thrown in by the villagers. This jumping into the wells or tanks is symbolic of baptism and new life, both of grace and in nature, as the crops begin to sprout. It is symbol of also bathing and becoming clean. At the end, the revellers and the merry makers gather at the cross and sing the ladain, the litany to Our Lady. After the litany, traditional sweets, such as Ponnsa hole, a pancake made of rice flour and wrapped in a jackfruit leaf, and filled with a coconut grating and jaggery, and rice cake, made with mashed jackfruit is distributed. The famous song sung by the people present at the celebrations is:
São João, São João
Gumta mure vat amkam disona,
Aicho dis urbecho,
Kon konnak assona
Cholre piere,
Tum ilo gere
Falleam khaim mevonam
Oslim festam vorsak kiteak
Don pautti ena.
In some areas, people burn an effigy of Judeu, made from straw and dressed in a colourful outfit. This is said to be symbolic of the Old Testament passing away and giving way to the New Testament. Some beat an effigy of Judeu with a piddo (coconut stick) while simultaneously shouting abuses at him. The effigy of Judeu could represent Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, his Lord and master.
Organising Sangodds
In some villages, such as in Baga, Colmorod, Ratwaddo, Pompurba, Assolna etc, people organise Sangodds. Sangodd could mean bond, unity or union. The villagers tie two boats together and have a programme on it. The tying of the boats signifies the unity of the village. They also set up a stage on the boat with a small oratory and the statue of St. John the Baptist in it. The villagers gather around 4 pm in the chapel nearby for prayers and then embark for the Sangodd. The young and the old, with lovely coronets of seasonal flowers on their heads, sing and dance to the beat of the ghumot and kansallem. The organisers also organise a few competitive programmes for the youth at the venues.
The villagers of Siolim have the São João Traditional Boat Festival, wherein there organise competition of decorated boats. Various wards of the village participate in it. Youngsters of the village come colourfully dressed to the venue, where the stage is erected opposite the Church. Here on the stage there is a performance of various local artists. Besides the boats competition, other competitions, such as of kopels, dresses, singing, etc are also held.
Vangodd in Saligao
The villagers of Saligao celebrate the feast of St. John the Baptist by organising Vangodd de Saligao programme. The 19 somudai (Small Christian Communities) take an active part in it to make this event a memorable one. The programme begins with a prayer in front of the Church and then they proceed to the venue of the celebrations. Here a variety of entertainment programme are organised, which include folk dances, konkani songs and music, culminating with tasty Goan food, that includes xit, sambarache codi, pickles, von, pez, doce and the seasonal fruits include jackfruit, mangoes, pineapples and bananas.
Sao Joao festival is not just about jumping in the wells or water bodies. It is much more. It is a celebration of beliefs and traditions, which have come down the ages and kept alive. Today non Christians too take part in it. Hence the festival binds people together.
(The writer is director at the Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendra, Porvorim)
