This ward in Raia stays true to Sao Joao tradition

A day after the feast of St John the Baptist, social media lights up with snapshots of Sao Joao festivities, with customary kopels and tasty patoleos on display. Also known as the feast of sons-in-law, Sao Joao is about the rich tradition of vojem, which are gifts sent to newly-married couples from their in-laws.

But like many old traditions, Sao Joao is evolving. The occasion is gradually moving away from the dips in wells (largely due to past accidents and deaths) to swimming pools. Also, rain dances and other curated events have sadly replaced traditional Sao Joao.

But in a waddo (ward) of Raia village in South Goa, tradition lives on. Villagers gather to celebrate the feast the way their forefathers did, and they hope to pass on the tradition to the younger generation.

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A neatly decorated well, lined with Sao Joaochi vaal, coconut leaves, and a ladder to help the girls join in the jump, marked the start of the festivities in this small waddo of just a few houses.

Rosita Colaco, who has been married in the village for over 20 years, said they don’t restrict their daughters from jumping in the well. “I have never jumped in the well on the occasion of Sao Joao. It is too high for us to climb. But now, the girls in our families insist that they want to jump too. So we bring a ladder to help them climb down,” Rosita added.

A SPECIAL CONSIDERATION FOR WOMEN: A special set of sprinklers were set up so that women could also be a part of the Sao Joao festivities.

FOOD AND SWEETS

This year was special. The son of the family had gotten married in November, and he was on top of the world.

“My mother-in-law sent us a lot of traditional sweets and fruits. We always receive generous gifts from my in-laws,” said Marcus Costa, happily digging into some delicious pork haadmaas prepared by his aunt Rosita. “As the old Konkani song goes: why doesn’t this festival come twice a year? It’s truly a fun and joyful celebration.”

Rosita Colaco, local from Raia.I have never jumped in the well on the occasion of Sao Joao. It is too high for us to climb. But now, the girls in our families insist that they want to jump too. So we bring a ladder to help them climb down

The new bride, Nasida Monisha Souza, dressed in a Sao Joao t-shirt and shorts, blushed throughout.

“My parents sent us the vojem from Cortalim and we served it to all the relatives and friends who came. They also sent the son-in-law a few bottles of alcohol, which is a tradition,” said Nasida, as she adjusted the kopel made of purple orchids and baby breath flowers.

TASTY VOJEM: From rice and 'pork haadmaas' and tonnes of 'vojem' sent from Nasida Monisha Souza's family.

A REFRESHING DIP

A close-knit group of 30 family members and friends came together to celebrate Sao Joao in high spirits. While vojem gifts added to the joy, thoughtful touches made it even more special. Sprinklers were set up for a fun rain dance, ensuring the women in the family could fully join in the festivities and soak up the celebration.

“We realised that women take most of the effort in making sure everyone celebrates. So we decided to set up sprinklers for them to have some fun too,” said Joaquim Colaco, a son of the family.

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Under the watchful eyes of the elders, the men took a plunge into the flower-decorated well. “We are used to taking dips in the well. We know how to swim. Also, while jumping we take all precautions not to jump on the person who is in the well. Our mothers, wives and sisters also keep an eye on us,” said Joaquim.

Rosita added, “Since we are a small group, we make sure all are sober enough to enter the well. We also tie a rope in case someone is scared to jump.”

THE RAIN DANCE: The rain dance with friends and family is what keeps bonds strong.

The celebrants treat the well as sacred. The well, they said, never dries up during the harshest of summers and is cleaned thoroughly every year.

For the locals, the well is not just a water source, it’s a symbol of tradition. During Sao Joao, it transforms into a sacred space of joy and gratitude, connecting generations through celebration and care.