Timely rain livens up traditional Sao Joao celebration in Goa

BY AUGUSTO RODRIGUES

Sao Joao, the feast of John Baptist who Catholics believe baptised Jesus Christ, was celebrated in most villages of Goa in the traditional style and the Department of Tourism threw in the element of rain dance to draw in tourists.

“Sao Joao baptised Jesus and that is why the feast is always associated with water because we are washed on our baptism day. Since there are no wells left in Mapusa, we have come to this chapel and are getting wet in rainwater,” said a jovial Vernon as he and his family and friends celebrated the day.

Sao Joao celebrations commence in the afternoon and the village of Siolim - where the feast is celebrated in a rivulet in front of the church - saw people from different villages throng with crowns – called Kopels in Konkani - to witness a cultural ensemble.

“I have come here for the first time as I wanted to see how the fest is celebrated. I think compared to the celebration in my village of Anjuna, this is more cultural. I have no regrets,” hollered Wilma over the deafening music.

“People from different wards and even villages came by boat, prayed at the cross and returned. This was a tradition started over 100 years ago. Some 30 years back, villagers like cartoonist Alexyz and journalist Allister Miranda and some other like-minded people thought of showcasing our culture and that is how the concept came into picture,” disclosed Reagan Oliveira, one of the organisers of this year's extravaganza.

“This festival is organised with no corporate donations. Villagers contribute whatever they can and the money collected is then given away as cash prize. We thought of giving away prize money for participants to be able to cut costs,” added Reagan.

Whilst the Sao Joao celebration in Siolim is a witness to the union of people from North Goa, the celebrations in different villages epitomize the bond between ward members of different villages.

“I have come from Usgao, leaving my people just to witness this unity amongst people of different villages. The feast in my village is different because there everyone is known whilst here apart from the fact that most are Goans, not many are known,” shoots in Milena Pereira who draws everyone's attention with her crown.

“I think our ancestors started this custom of jumping into the well because during baptism we are washed and many other Christian groups also have this system of bathing in the sea or swimming pool when their people are baptised,” admits Irineu Pereira who remembers being part of the celebration as a kid.

Seventy-odd years old John de Baddem stood out as one of the eldest citizens who came to celebrate the feast in his inimitable costume of St John the Baptist. “I have been coming here since I was 11 and will continue to come as long as I am physically able to and I pray that the same blessing befalls all,” he said whilst declaring the celebrations open.

If the celebration in Siolim was a fusion of tradition and culture, the celebrations in Naikawaddo in Aldona took one through a journey of discovery and thanksgiving to Goa through Sao Joao.

The villagers gathered at the chapel and went to collect ‘dhali’ and ‘dan’ from the recently wedded sons-in-law and houses with newborns before jumping into the well.

“This is one day that I wait for every year. This is a unique tradition and the coming of people on this day is what adds charm to this feast. Going to people’s places, jumping in the well, eating fruits and praying together is what makes Sao Joao so unique,” says Janice Fernandes from the ward.

The Sao Joao celebration, over the last few years, has seen people introducing the concept of rain dance which has not been well received by Goans. The rain dance is irrelevant given the fact that it always rains sufficiently to fill the wells before the feast.

This year, too, the rain made a grand and timely entry and left everyone celebrating the festival in a happy mood.