Sao Joao Feast of St John the Baptist

The Feast Sao Joao is celebrated in Goa on June 24 with traditional enthusiasm. Men will jump in their neighbor’s wells, ponds and rivers with the loud chanting of Sao Joao, Sao Joao, Viva Sao Joao. Different games and traditional boat festival which is traditional events being organized every year at Siolim on the occasion of Sao Joao and the day is celebrated. The feast has its origin in the Holy Bible. It is believed that St John the Baptist leapt with joy in his mother, Elizabeth’s womb when she was visited by Mother Mary, who had just conceived Jesus. Many jump in wells in Goa to celebrate the feast cause of the background.

Other villages of coastal area like Calangute, Anjuna, Vagator and Siolim in Bardez taluka, also celebrates the Sao Joao Feast in a grand manner. Some other places like Marna, Fernandes Vaddo, Gaunsavaddo and Igrej waddo in Siolim celebration also takes place.

Traditional Sao Joao Feast newly-married couples play a very important role in the celebration. Bucketing water on newly-married, daughters-in-laws. And then the bride carries all the goodies for distributing like mangoes, jackfruits, etc and the groom will distribute drinks like the Goan ‘feni’, beer, etc.

The number of people gathers to watch the grand boat parade in the stream which is opposite the Siolim Church.

The Sao Joao has it own past history and celebrated approximately about 175 years.
In this feast celebrator’s come with decorated boats wear crowns made up of tender coconut leaves or flower’s known as ‘copel’, they sing Mandos and play musical instruments traditional. Once they reaching near the holy cross which in front of the church, candles lighted, lit firecrackers.