Tradition reigned supreme in the three villages of Goa—Chandor-Guirdolim, Cansaulim and Verem-Reis Magos—on Monday (January 6) as they celebrated the feast of the Epiphany with a re-enactment of the visit of the Magi to the Infant Jesus.
Though the celebrations share similarities, each village adds its own unique flavour to the feast, but the core spirit remains same everywhere.
Today's celebration was a blend of the old and the new, where the kings were not just figures of reverence, but symbols of the community in which they live.
This celebration, therefore, reflects Goa’s rich cultural heritage, where traditions and rituals shine brightly. It is a powerful way of bringing people together, deepening faith and celebrating the divine who guides all.
GUIRDOLIM AND CHANDOR STAY WITH TRADITION
In keeping with the long-standing tradition of riding horses, the three young boys chosen for the occasion, Brooklyn Da’Costa, Joydon Cordoz and Maverick Antao, made their way to the Nossa Senhora de Belem (Our Lady of Bethlehem) church symbolising the royal passage of the Three Kings.
“I feel very proud to be one of the first (kings) in my family,” said Brooklyn Da’Costa, who played King Casper and carried Myrrh. “It’s wonderful to have such a rich background and culture in our village.”
For the boys and their families, the day began with the three boys getting dressed in regal attire and gathering atop the hill at the Chapel of Our Lady of Piety. From there, they proceeded on horseback to the Church of Nossa Senhora de Belem.
The royal parade was accompanied by a lively brass band, adding to the festive fervour.
The procession was followed by High Mass, where the main celebrant, Auxiliary Bishop Rev Simiao Fernandes while delivering an inspiring sermon encouraged the faithful to be kind, emphasising how the lovable ‘Saibin Mai’ (Our Lady) always supported and cared for her devotees, guiding them through difficult times.
He shared a story of a woman who found calm, happiness and contentment after surrendering her worries to Our Lady of Belem.
Bishop Fernandes also reiterated Pope Francis’ message in response to the violence happening in the world, saying, “Creation is God’s gift to us; we are the stewards of it. Do not prey upon it.”
In addition to the royal parade, another procession was held at the end of the High Mass in honour of Our Lady of Bethlehem. The first mass of the day was celebrated at 5 am.
MINOR CHANGES IN CUELIM, CANSAULIM
Cansaulim, known for its distinctive celebration of the feast of the Epiphany did not disappoint. However, for the first time in many years, the serving of the traditional kanji and the walking under horses were missing.
“The horses are very irritable this year, so we advised the people not to walk under them," explained the animal caretaker. It is understood that seeking blessings by passing babies and children under the horses is a tradition, however the risk of getting hit by the horses cannot be ignored,” he added.
Even without these familiar traditions, the essence of the celebration was seen throughout. The family members of nine-year-old Aaron Francisco Xavier Fernandes, the Rei (king) representing the village of Cuelim, woke up at 5 am to ensure that all the arrangements were perfect.
Along with Aaron were seven-year-old Cayden Correa of Arrosim and nine-year-old Ethan Gracias of Cansaulim, who took on the roles of other kings.
“We have been following this tradition for years, where the crown worn by the kings are placed upon our heads as we seek the blessing of wisdom,” said 72-year-old Franskin Fernandes from Cansaulim.
She added, “I remember coming here as a little girl and now I come here with my grandkids. I tell my kids to always pray for wisdom from the Almighty.”
While the Alcasoas family was busy prepping the local brass band to play and seeing to it that the horses were fuelled up for the 45-minute journey, Rebecca Alcasoas, mother of Aaron, said, “As a tradition, the king has to leave from the ancestral house which is in Cuelim. It is a very grand privilege for us as Gaonkars to organise the feast."
Gaonkars are the indigenous locals from the three villages of Cansaulim, Arrosim and Cuelim. The Three Kings are chosen from each of these villages.
All the Three Kings, riding on their respective horses, arrived at the designated point where they rested for a while, before climbing the steep slope up to the Our Lady of Remedios Chapel in Cuelim. Rebecca made sure that her son was well hydrated during this journey.
ENDURING LEGACY OF REIS MAGOS
In Reis Magos, unlike the celebrations in South Goa, the Magi do not come on horseback and the chosen kings are adults.
What sets the celebration apart in this village is the distinctive attire of the kings, who wear headgear and gowns reminiscent of biblical times, adding a unique cultural flair to the event.
The celebrations kicked off with a procession that set off from the side entrance of the church, winding its way to the main door in a 20-minute walk. The procession, with the Three Kings following at the rear, culminated in a climb of 23 steps before entering the 470-year-old historic church.
At this year’s feast, the role of the kings was played by Olvin Nadal, Jason D’Souza and Bonnie D’Souza, all hailing from the Reis Magos parish.
Playing the part of the kings on the feast day is one that is truly cherished. “We’ve been preparing for the feast for the last nine days, and it’s an incredible honour. I urge others from Reis Magos to step up and take on this role in the future — it’s a fulfilling experience and a true privilege,” said Bonnie.
Oswaldo Mendonca, a parishioner, explained, “The tradition of dressing up like kings began in the late 1960s, and was introduced by the parish priest, Fr Cirilo Metodio de Souza. Initially, young boys were chosen to play the kings, and were often accompanied by a live goat. Over time, it became clear that the role of the kings should be filled by adults, as they represent the true essence of the figures in the Nativity story.”