During colonial times, today (May 3) was coined as “Três the Maio, Santa
Cruz” (The third of May is the Holy Cross day.)
The biggest celebration in Goa takes place in Kalafura or Santa Cruz (In
Portuguese, Santa = holy, and Cruz = Cross), where a large fair takes
place, which lasts for 3-4 days. The Catholics celebrate the main
village festival, the Holy Cross feast, on the Sunday between May 2 and
8 every year.
The original name of the Santa Cruz village is a very debatable topic
and until today it is still uncertain how Calapor acquired its name. The
origins of Santa Cruz date back much before the first millennium and
this is supported by documented historical records, written in different
languages and by different people who lived in the village in different
periods of time. In fact, its original name morphed over the years and
these were Calapor (circa 1042 AD), Kalapur (circa 1042 AD) and
Kalafura, names by which this illustrious village is known for even today.
However, an interesting anecdote became very popular and for some this
is the official acceptable explanation for this mystery.
Once, the villagers of Santa Cruz and Taleigão, a neighboring village,
entered into a dispute as regards to the exact boundary between both
lands, the latter accusing the former of encroaching into their territory.
So, both agreed that they should consult an oracle on a certain day and
resolve the problem. Those days, one would sprinkle a mixture of cooked
rice with the blood of a rooster on the set lines between villages
amidst dancing to the beat of a ‘ghumott.’
Prior to the event, the villagers of Calapor went to the spot they
wanted to mark as the boundary and dug a hole there. Then they lowered a
coffin with a live man in it and placed the earth over it - they had
provided a vent pipe for the man to breath.
When the moment arrived, both village leaders implored the oracle to
answer their prayers. Bowing down in abeyance to the Mother Earth, they
waited patiently for the occult decision.
A long silence prevailed. They kept repeating: "To whom does this land
belong?" To the joy and exultation of the Calaporkars, a faint voice
from the depths of the earth replied: "Calapor! Calapor! Calapor!"
Sadly and frustrated, the Taleigãokars accepted the verdict and went
home. Everyone in Calapor celebrated throughout the night and totally
forgot the poor man inside the coffin! They returned the next day to the
spot to dig up the coffin, only to find that the poor man had already
passed away.
In the coffin, they found only crawling worms. As a symbol of self
punishment, so the story goes, each man took a worm and placed it in his
hip belt - this coined the term 'bhenddacho kiddo' or 'hip worm'.
On that very spot, tradition says, stands 'Almancho Khuris' - the cross
that has been marking the boundary after Christianity replaced
traditional symbols.
Important architectural landmarks in the village reminiscent of the
Portuguese style are the Dempo House, the Pinto House, the Kenkre house
and the magnificent Nachninolkar house.
A characteristic of this style is the existence of large frontal
balconies with molded seats either made up of stones or brickwork, where
people could seat comfortably and chat away the events of the day with
all family members.
Happy Holy Cross feast to everyone!
Moi-mogan,
Domnic Fernandes
Anjuna, Goa
Mob: 9420979201
