‘Sao Joao’ is a Christian festival dedicated to St. John the Baptist. It is celebrated in Goa by the Christian community on 24th June every year with great enthusiasm. According to The Holy Bible, it is believed that the child, St John the Baptist leapt with joy in his mother Elizabeth’s womb when Mary, mother of Jesus came to visit her. This occasion is celebrated as the feast of St. John the Baptist. Many Goans jump into wells and ponds which represents Elizabeth’s womb.
On this particular day, Goans wear very colorful dresses and crowns on their heads known as ‘Copel’ which is made up of flowers. Youngsters and elders get together and move around in the neighbourhood by dancing and singing mandos and going from door to door collecting fruits, coconuts, liquor etc. The most interesting part is when they jump into wells or ponds yelling ‘Viva Sao Joao’ to feel the joy which St. John had sensed in his mother’s womb. Many young marriageable girls and young brides pray and throw fruits and vegetables in wells to get their wish fulfilled.
As per Goan tradition, the son-in-law is invited by his mother-in-law for a feast which includes a variety of Goan delicacies, especially sanas with sorpotel, moong dal with hard bread, pez, salt fish, salt-water mango and the main sweet dish prepared of rice stuffed with jaggery, grated coconut, raisins and wrapped in turmeric leave called ‘patodio’.
To make the festival more exciting people keep different types of competition like breaking the pot or coconut, boat race, frog race, jumping in well, fancy dress, San Joao Queen etc. In recent years on this special day there have been a lot of dances being organized with Goa’s leading bands and Dj’s by providing lunch, dinner, surprise games and more.
This festival makes the month of June truly colorful in Goa.
Viva Sao Joao
