The Feast of the 'Patron Saint' of Goa is fast approaching with a few days
left. 'Goemcho Saib' as HE is commonly known, is considered as the PROTECTOR
[Goemcho Rakhondar or Rakhno] of Goa and Goans, from times immemorial. I
remember the stories that my maternal grand-mother [from Quitula, Aldona]
used to tell us knee-high grasshopper siblings hurdled around the dry leaves
fire heating the bathing copper pot, the 'modki' during this festive season.
And as I think back to those old times, I still get the goose-flesh. Such
was the power of the stories that we have grown-up to as Goans. The most
stupendous story of them all was about the lady who had gone to Old-Goa to
pay homage to the Protector during the Novenas leading to the Feast on 3rd.
December. Considering the ills of olden days transportation, the lady was
late coming home ( to Bodiem) via Postar, Aldona. And at that late hour,
the river had to be crossed to get to Bodiem. Being late, she requests the
'tario' to take her across. Obliging 'tario' sets out on the task. But when
he sees the lady decked up in gold, he gets tempted to commit a crime.
Besides nobody would be in the know. So, he lets his boat go with the tide.
The lady, now very nervous, start praying hard and at the same time 'KHUIM
VORTAI RE MAKA?' [Where are you taking me?]. Minutes pass with stone silence
from the 'tario'. Just then some loud distinctive sound was heard coming
from the bank of the river where the 'tario' [boatman] wanted to make a
landing, as if someone was walking through the tall riverside weeds, a
dragging sound that something is being pulled behind as one walks [cassok].
Then a distinctive voice was heard. 'Tika Sarki Pavoi' - 'Tika Sarki Pavoi'
[Reach her safely]. The nervous and sweating 'tario' does as commanded and
even volunteers to see the lady home safely. Thus is the belief of us Goans
who have grown up to honour the Patron Saint of Goa. I could write a book
... but then the ridicule of such deeply embeded beliefs are on the rise as
we see what is happening today where ridiculously imported song and dance
'IFFI' is vying for GOA's spot of attention due to the Patron Saint of Goa.
Hopefully, GOEMCHO SAIB will command those who don't know what they are
doing to take it back to where it belongs.
floriano lobo
383 A Pirazona
Moira Bardez Goa.
9890470896
PS: Floriano Lobo is the founding President and presently the General
Secretary of Goa Su-Raj Party. He may be contacted on
[email protected]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Protect Goa's natural beauty
Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve
Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
