BHIKAREANCHEM JEVONN--THE BEGGARS' LUNCH.
Before describing the beggars' lunch in Saligao let me add a few words on " Bhuim Jevon" which was served on plantain leaf( keinbeacho khollo) or "potraouli" or "potravoll"(made of jack-fruit tree leaves and joined by "vir" broom-sticks or coconut leaf sticks) to the guests seated on the floor in the "refeitorio"(dining hall) on a large bamboo mat (souiem). The lunch was presided by the "ezman"(one who presides), serving vodde, sannam, sorpotel, vindalo, samarem and onn etc. (A) Among Christians--- A lavish feast called "Bikareanchem Jevon"or Beggars' Lunch is held a day or two before the wedding day, preferably on a tuesday. Seven or nine members(always odd in number), men and women who are reported to be "poor" or in 'beggarly' condition, are invited to a sumptuous lunch with pork, beef, fish, rice and a curry of special type called "Samarachi Koddi," a heavily spiced aromatic, hot curry in some places, washed down with cashew or cocunut liquors. They squat on the floomat, and specially- prepared jack fruit tree leaves, well- plaited into plates are placed before them, into which food is served or ladled out by the bride or groom at each one's place of residence( At the time of my ordination, our family also had a bikareanchem jevonn at our place and I as "ezman" was asked to serve them, which I did and remember it nostalgically as I write this short essay). The intention behind the service is to remember and pray for the dead ancestors ( also masses are offered for the souls of the dead ancestors, close relatives of the family and even the old deceased faithful servant of the family)on this important occasion of their house, through the medium of these beggers representing them, the needy. Thus the forebears and relatives since dead make their presence felt at the lunch mentioned above. Generally the number and choice of the "Beggers" is taken keeping in view the age and sex of the participants comparable roughly to those of the relatives departed sought to be aimed at, at the time of their death. Coconut oil is also given for their hair and a 'vidi' or a cigarette, according to the preferences expressed by them.They are also given a sweet dish of gram dal and 'soji', a sweet composed of wheat preparation, and bananas. Instead of coconut-feni, a sweet wine was also served. (B)....Among Hindus---While among the Christians and Muslims, the special meal called ' Beggars' Lunch' and 'Devkarem' respectively, is meant or intended to reached the deceased forebears, through the medium of the people served, among the hindus the similar ' devkarem, has no such intention. In the 'devkarem' among the hindus, a married woman with her husband living, will serve food to the bride-to-be in the form of ' sivrak' (food devoid of fish etc) and 'ghodxem,(liquidish sweetmeat) and fill her lap with two coconuts and a saree. Offerings and 'puja' is also performed before the family god, as part of the 'devkarem'. Though we did not have muslims,in our days in Saligao, now a few muslim families are making their appearence over there. I asked a muslim family here if such a custom is held among them. The answer was in the affirmative. Like the Christians , also confirmed by Mr. B.D.Satoskar, among the Muslims , the meal served to a group of people is intended to reach their deceased forebears.But instead of the meal being served at mid-day like the Christians, it is served at night among the Muslims. It is , however, called 'devkarem' like they do among the Hindus, though with a different intention from the latter. Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas. References; PEREIRA, Angelo, "Goa Remembered..."p.51; GOMES, Olivinho J. F, ' Village Goa,' pp140-141; BRAGANZA,Alfred, " The Discovery of Goa",p.43; SATOSKAR, B.D., " Gomantak--Prakriti and Samskriti, p.546. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet =================================================================== For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
