Know about the Goan pre-wedding 'roce' ceremony

TIMELESS TRADITION

Roce is a pre-wedding ritual followed by Goan Catholics, and is pretty much similar to the haldi ceremony of the Hindu community.

NATURE'S GOODNESS

The word roce in the Konkani language translates to juice that has been squeezed.

AN OLD RITUAL

The ceremony is held two or three days before the wedding day. It is held separately for the bride and the groom, at their respective houses, in the presence of close family and friends.

A LITTLE CHANGE

In the earlier days, a mattov (pandal) of natural materials, like dried woven coconut palms and bamboo, used to be erected in front of the house for the ceremony. That has all changed now.  

REFRESHINGLY NATURAL

The translation of the word roce (also spelled as ros) is 'juice' in the English language. The freshly squeezed coconut milk is an integral part of the ceremony.

COCONUT MATTERS

Why coconut milk? The abundance of coconuts in Goa makes it the best choice.

IN FAITH

A small prayer goes a long way and the roce ceremony too begins with prayers where the family members pray and remember their elders to seek their blessings.

GET CRACKING

The roce ceremony also witnesses people playfully cracking eggs on the heads of the wedding entourage -- the bride and her bridesmaids.

PURE IN NATURE

The ceremony also symbolises washing away of the sins and purifying the soul for marriage. Roce also symbolises purity like the white coconut milk and is also associated with prosperity.

SYMPHONY

Traditional music is an integral part of the ceremony. As the people pour roce on the bride, the musicians play along.

HEALTHY SPLASH

And after all the people are done with the roce ceremony, the remaining ros (juice) is poured over the bride.

FROM HEART TO FEET

And along with local musicians, having traditional dancers has also become a part of the ceremony.

FOOD SO GOOD

At the end of it all, no one goes home without having a sumptuous meal.

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