Abu Dhabi: “SAO JOAO” Goan festival mesmerized the audience with colourful cerebrations

By Alphonse Mendonsa
Bellevision Media Network

Abu Dhabi, 30 Jun 2013: The entire Goan audience enjoyed thoroughly at the feast of St. John the Bapist celebrated at Le Meridien main hall in Abu Dhabi on Friday. It is the first time all Goan associations came together and put up a grand show with dances, Mando singing, humorous skits, konkani traditional songs and variety of entertaining items.  The entire crowd just enjoyed every bit of the program and the dance floor was magical with wonderful dances throughout the day.

 

SAO JOAO in Konkani means St. John the Baptist. The feast of SAO JOAO is celebrated on the 24th of June and is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. It was St. John who foretold the coming of Jesus Christ and invited people of his generation to repent for their sins. Inspired by his call, our ancestors changed their lives and yearned absolution for their sins. With shouts of joy to St. John, they would jump into the neighborhood wells, calling out his name “SAO JOAO, SAO JOAO” .

 

With this faith, all Goans still celebrate this feast with great pride and deity. This feast also remembers the newly married Sons-In-Law of the community. The new grooms are fondly welcomed into their In-laws’ homes to celebrate this feast with family and friends.  The family celebrations include a huge banquet of traditional food and drinks, songs and dance.

 

In lieu of this celebration, the Goan community in Abu Dhabi came together for the very first time to organize an event of great pomp and splendor. Initiated by Mr. Nolasco Abreu, the excitement was sparked among all the Goan groups to unite and honor this great feast. The event was held in Le Meridien Abu Dhabi on Friday, June 28, 2013 from 12 noon onwards.

 

 

The festivities were well supported by DJ Rudy, DJ Moses and DJ Rex. They rendered some astounding musical tracks which kept the guests on the dance floor till  20:30 hours. DJ Moses resonated the ballroom with his charming voice and got the dancers to enjoy every single song while burning the dance floor. The Masters of Ceremony for the day were the ever so charming Mr. Perviz De Souza, Mr. Avito Carvalho and Mr. Joaquim D’Souza. They kept the celebrations alive with their witty jokes, Spot Prizes, Novelty Prizes, Raffle Draws ending with a resounding game of Housie.

 

Mr. Ivor D’Cunha ignited the spirit of Goa with his melodious Konkani compositions which got the guests joining in the chorus. Mr. Gabriel Fernandes and his team of Goencho Konso, offered their full hearted support, by not only providing a mouthwatering spread of  traditional Goan food, but also putting forward various traditional songs and dances with the Mandos ani Dulpods. Mr. Vallencio Vaz raised the decibel of the afternoon with his hilarious Konkani Skit, keeping the guests rolling with laughter.

 

The excitement, joy and memorable moments of the event were captured by the creative photographers Mr. Neil Rodrigues, Mr. Neill D’Souza and Mr. Agnelo Rodrigues.

 

The resounding success of SAO JOAO 2013 in Abu Dhabi is attributed to all the generous sponsors who provided their whole hearted support. The event would not have reached its thrilling end if not support of the multi-talented organizing committee, consisting of the above mentioned personnel including Mr. Jerry Fernandes, Mr. Santana Fernandes, Mr. & Mrs. Elvis Soares,  Mr. Johnson and Mr. Olinto Da Costa.

 

The Abu Dhabi Goans look forward to steering many more thrilling and exuberant events in the near future.