by KalakruthiDaijiworld Media Network - Goa Panaji, Jun 28: The annual and the much awaited celebration of 'Sao Joao' was celebrated with enthusiasm and fun in each and every ward of every Goan village. Young and old were seen dancing to the beats of the Sao Joao numbers who later went on to jump in the nearby wells as per the tradition. On the ocassion of Sao Joao a beautiful Boat festival was organised infront of the St Anthony's church in Siolim.
Being a Goan, I''m from Baga Calangute, currently residing and working in Bahrian. I enjoyed the Sao Joao festival pictures. I was just curious if Sangoud was celebrated in Baga. Thanks once again.
I am really proud to be a Goan and to see such wonderful entertainment happening. Keep it up GOANS!!!!
Festa Junina, typically termed São João (Saint John) as it is centered on that saint''s day, is the name of annual Brazilian celebrations (historically related to the Midsummer and Saint John festivities in Europe) which take place in the beginning of the Brazilian winter, consequently during the European summer. These festivities, which were introduced in the country by the Portuguese during the colonial period (1500-1822), are most associated with Northeastern Brazil, but today celebrated in the whole country.
It''s mainly celebrated on the following days of the Catholic feast of Saint Anthony, John the Baptist and Saint Peter. As the northeast is largely arid or semi-arid these popular festivals not only coincide with the end of the rainy seasons of most states in the northeast but they also provide the people with an opportunity to give thanks to Saint John for the rain. They also celebrate rural life and feature typical clothing, food, dance (particularly quadrilha, which is similar to square dancing). Like Midsummer and Saint John''s Day in Portugal and Scandinavian countries, São João celebrates marital union.
The "quadrilha" features couple formations around a mock wedding whose bride and groom are the central attraction of the dancing. Usually taking place in an arraial, a large, open space outdoors, men dress up as farm boys with suspenders and large straw hats and women wear pigtails, freckles, painted gap teeth and red-checkered dresses, all in a loving tribute to the origins of Brazilian country music, and of themselves, some of whom are recent immigrants from the countryside to cities such as Olinda, Recife, Maceió and Salvador, and some of whom return to the rural areas during that season to visit family.
However, nowadays, São João festivities are extremely popular in all urban areas and among all social classes. In the Northeast, they are as popular as Carnival. It should be noted that, like during Carnival, these festivities involve costume-wearing (in this case, peasant costumes), dancing, drinking, and visual spectacles (fireworks display and folk dancing). Like the original European Midsummer celebrations, during the two-week June festivities in Brazil, bonfires are lit. They can be seen everywhere in northeastern cities. Two northeastern towns in particular have competed with each other for the title of "Biggest São João Festival in the World", namely Caruaru (in the state of Pernambuco), and Campina Grande,in Paraíba state. In fact, Caruaru features in the Guinness Book of World Records for holding the biggest outdoor country festival.
São João coincides with the corn harvest. Special dishes served during São João are made with corn, such as canjica and pamonha. Dishes may also include peanuts, potatoes sausages and rice. The celebrations are very colorful and festive and include amazing pyrotechnics. Bonfires and fire in general are thus one of the most important features of these fes
Mind blowing.. v nostalgic.. drove me down memory lane. Thanks for putting them out there...
Amazing photographs! Fantastic Job!.Keep up the excellent work. Cheers and thansk! Daijiworld. Post photographs of Sangod too.
Thanks Daijiworld for keeping us in touch with our heritage in our motherland.
Thanku Daiji for this such a nice pics..Thank u..
these 8 pics make me very feel happy, iam basically hindu in religion but sao joao festival i love to watch in goa i feel iam in goa. thanks daijiworld
Thanks Daiji for beautiful pics which brought back the nostalgic memories of Goa
Those pictures look awesome, but what is ''Sao Joao''? Why is it celebrated? What is the meaning of jumping into the well? or catching frogs? Can anyone explain?
Seems to be nice festival,very different type with decoration''s on the head. I dont know how safe it is to jump into the well the impact with the water will send big waves which will corrode the mud and may make the well to cave in.Check it out guys.
Thank You Daijiworld for bring this gr8 pics of our Goa during Sao Joao Festival just feel like I am in goa during my childhood days and bring back all the good memories
I was a Goan resident during the last decade and have been visiting Goa regularly, ever since I became a Mumbai resident. I find the Sao Joao festival is celebrated in every Goan village with gusto with people hearing the Morning Mass, followed by the festivities like jumping in the well, catching frogs and boat festival at Siolim Church on Chapora river, with Brass Band and Konkani songs with satire etc.Incidentally, St. John the Baptist is my patron saint and I feel elated that this day is being celebrated as a solemn Feast with people having a grand lunch with soro and dukra mas etc. I congratulate Kalakruthi for publishing this illustrated article in daijiworld, highlighting the Sao Joao fest celebrations, particularly the boat festival at St. Anthony''s Church which I also used to attend when I was in Goa.
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