Sao Joao honoured The custom associated with Sao Joao is the fertile imagination that has caught on . At village level then in villages of South Gos, some youth of certain commuity in a group of 3 roamed the villages with a green crown of veil of ferns and stem of dry coconut leaf.They beat the ground thrice with slogans ::Sao Joao bhaint podla saiba , attik don voir caddai teka, re sao Joao pattole magota ,Sao Joao." Only a coconut was given in apreciation and some for liquor on request for usually battling heavy rains. The demands for appreciation turned to financial reward.A harmless custom at evening time Legend explains the jumping of Jesus in her womb , when Mary visited her cousin .The jumping in the wells is corruption of concept and pattole became a custom and tradition .Many a precious life was lost by drowning in inheberated condition and turned the ocassion to mourning . In the North a basket of sweets with pattole , jackfruit with other goodies was offered to the in laws of the newly married daughter.It has since spread in the south to some extent.The Church observes the day with solemnity, sanctity without any reference to the customs and traditions of entertainment of the day Do the activities of organized dances , musical shows ,food festivals , jumping in the wells, rivers, offering of choicest goan delicacies to the public are new diversions with no religious significance One wonders how all these activities honour St John the Baptist , spread his message , medititate on his sacrifice of cruel beheading and enhance spirituality and faith. Catholics even in villages organize fun filled activities on the occasion to make it look like universal legacy of the past Other religious bodies at the flimsiest excuse create massive riots, protest for hurting religious sentiments. The Govt patronizing and promoting the entertaining aspects is with an eye on commercialisation and tourist attraction Should we willingly permit denigration of faith and life and teaching of St John the Baptist.Govt can exploit Portuguese customs and traditions for commercial purposes and yet cry foul about wiping out Portuguese culture.Unfortunate the life of saint, preaching, prophesis , cruel beheading, baptizing is not the focus What then, we ask are we celebrating in association with the feast of St John the Baptist.It is time that catholics dissociate with commercial aspect of entertainment and see the exploitation in disguise , deceit as promoting faith and spirituaity
Nelson Lopes Chinchinim https://lopesnelsonnat.wordpress.com Nelson Lopes Chinchinim https://lopesnelsonnat.wordpress.com
