Abu Dhabi: Goan Feast ’Sao Joao’ enthralls Goan community at Le Meridian with traditiona

By Fenella Andrade
Bellevision Media Network

Abu Dhabi, 21 Jun,  2014 : All the beautifully costumed, attractive Copels (Ring of flowers on head) all colourful Goans gathered at the Le Meridian “ Versailles Ball Room “ to celebrate “ Viva Sao Joao” the traditional St. John Baptist Feast.  The magical event began with the arrival of Sao Joao (St. John the Baptist) to the grand welcome with a traditional welcome song “ Viva Sao Joao” to the thunderous applause by the gathering.

 

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.

 

Based on this tradition, Abu Dhabi Goans met second time to celebrate this wonderful feast after their successful event last year at the same venue.  It was under the leadership of dynamic Goan leader Nolasco De Abreu that this wonderful, musical and rocking festivity took place with a house full gathering.  St. John the Baptist (Nolasco) addressed the gathering after the welcoming ceremony of new Sun-in-law Lloyd Dias with his pretty wife Pearl by pouring water on his head and blessings.  

Earlier Joe and Parvez welcomed the gathering and said that festival is organized to unite all Goans here in Abu Dhabi and all the proceedings from this feast shall go the charity causes as last year they could collect a substantial amount and was distributed back in Goa for the various charitable needs of the under-privileged.  

 

The festivity began with a grand procession and singing songs by DJ Moses, Zarine and Drefferd and later joined by Avito and Rudy. 

 

The special attraction of the day was ‘ Dekhni “ traditional dance performance by mother and daughter deo Zelma and Nyletta received a thunderous applause and Nolasco appreciated their performance as they themselves initiated and made it possible and brought the true spirit to the festivity.    Nolasco also requested the audience to present these type of dances in their future programs. 

 

The beautiful traditional Mando was presented during the occasion accompanied by little kids dancing to the lovely goan traditional songs, such as Gupit Mog, Thamde Roza and many more.

 

The delicious buffet was arranged by “ Goencho Konso “ which was enjoyed by all the audience.  Raffle draw and Housie-Housie games were held on the occasion.

 

The dancing couples enjoyed the most of the day for the beautiful numbers sung by Moses, Zarine and Drefferd and kept the audience young and old on the floor throughout the day.

 

Parvej, Joe, Conrad kept the audience busy with their constant announcements and wonderful compeering the whole day event.

 

The event was sponsored by a few generous organizations namely:  Omeir Bin Yousef Group, Omeir Travel Agency, Raanataz 360 degrees and Sun Tour and Travels and my generous Goan community members.