It’s Christmas season once more and the cool December air brings back fond memories of old, of joy in simple things. The birth of Christ reminds us of the importance of love, both within our families and without. December is arguably the best month of the year. Ask any child who’s been good and is hoping he’s not slipped up and made Santa’s dreaded naughty list.
In the world of grownups, while the rest of the world is battling the cold and low temperatures, Goa is basking in the warm spirit of Christmas and freshly baked traditional Christmas goodies.
Goa does transform into a winter wonderland of a different sort in December, where everyone is in a joyous, peaceful and in a cheerful mood. It may be a time for parties, dances, dinners, wedding celebrations, but most importantly it is the celebration of Christmas – which reunites families, that makes December special.
In the community at large there is a sense of togetherness too. As Christmas preparations continue, a trip around the cities and villages will expose you to a demonstration of brotherhood and love.
The stars and lights that adorn the streets lend the month a magical feeling. Each village has its displays of the scene of the Nativity at Bethlehem. The aroma of freshly fried neureos and kulkuls and the carols being sung in the neighbourhood are what set Christmas in Goa apart.
FAMILY GATHERINGS
From decorating homes and setting up the Christmas tree to getting the family to stir the Christmas cake batter – this is how Goans made sure the family was always together to celebrate the festival. My mother would bring out her special Christmas recipe book which had all the must-cook Christmas dishes, including a roasted chicken, marzipan and so much more.
The stars and lights that adorn the streets lend the month a magical feeling. Each village has its displays of the scene of the Nativity at Bethlehem.
Meeting family members, some after months or even years of being away, is emotional on a whole new level. The once-empty house is filled with the clamour of happiness and chitter chatter.
There is something unique about Goa’s Christmas celebrations. Ladies from the villages go house to house to prepare Christmas kuswar and each house will have a date where the neighbouring ladies carry their rolling pins and get ready to make neureos and other sweets.
MIDNIGHT DANCES – BRINGING FAMILIES AND FRIENDS TOGETHER
Christmas arrived and everyone took a break from the dreary routine. The many Christmas dances sure hit every Goan Catholic family with the urge to waltz and jive. These dances are almost a ritual now with families in Goa. I have witnessed my family attending while the young ones had to stay at home with either the grandparents or older siblings. Of course, it was a party by itself when all cousins got together under one roof.
As the kids grew older, they too began attending the dances, as their parents gradually withdrew from such activity.
VISITING CRIBS – A CHRISTMAS TRADITION
My family would maintain this tradition that every December 27 they would go out to explore new and unique cribs. There was every variation of a crib one’s imagination could conjure up. These days there are competitions which also give out prize money to the best crib. These cribs are made by locals from the village. They start work on the cribs a few weeks before Christmas, continuing till post New Year’s Day. The cribs are now bigger and better now. In some places in Cansaulim, you find automated moving cribs.
These are just a few of the elements of a Goan Christmas that give it its distinctive and delightful character. One has to experience it to appreciate what I am talking about.