The Legendary Cross

It is a tradition in Goa to sing Litany to the Cross in the month of May. In every village one will find Crosses all along the roads and pathways leading to a locality or may be opposite a house. It is presumed that God fearing ancestors had erected them to seek Divine protection when traveling in the night. One would stop by the Cross, pray and continue the onward journey. It is interesting at times to listen to an anecdote related to the erection of a Cross in a village. So goes the legend of a Cross in the picturesque village of Salvador do Mundo.

Bhurgeanchea Khursache Fest

The legendary Cross, ‘Bhurgeancho Khuris’ is a symbol of brotherhood and unity fostering harmony and understanding among the villagers.  According to the legend, a group of boys were playing in the evening. They found a partially damaged Cross. With due reverence, they picked it up and placed it by the roadside in the locality. They then used to come together every year in the month of May to sing the litany. As years passed by the number of boys increased and the Cross was raised on a pedestal. 

Children pay Homage

“When the incident occurred no one can tell for sure. But it’s been there since my boyhood,” recollects Mr. Aniceto Martins who is now a senior citizen and regularly attends the annual litany. “We used to wait for the Bombay crowd to come and then have the litany late in May,” says Albert Heredia “because we used to receive some donations of 25 paise to Rs.5 which was great money then” he chides. “Sometimes it suddenly rained in the midst of the litany being sung as the summer showers would lash Goa. We were dispersed. But that didn’t dampen our spirit to regroup again and sing the litany,” adds Martins. Titu Fernandes reminisces the days he used to attend the parish music school to sing the solfegio and remembers Jose Mistir the village choir maestro who taught him to sing the litany. “I am here for the last 38 years,” informs Seby Fernandes who is a settler in the village. Incidentally the Bhurgeancho Khuris is just opposite his house. “I am richly blessed” he proclaims and participates in the annual litany preparation which consists of readings from the Bible, prayer of the faithful and singing of selective hymns. 

The hands of the clock move ahead with every tick of the pendulum and so have times changed. The legendary Cross is housed into a beautiful structure which is aptly named ‘Bhurgeancho Khuris’. The feast commonly refereed to as ‘Bhurgeanchea Khursache Fest’ is held annually on the first Sunday after May 3 the feast of the Cross. Some old time decoration of planting the leaves of billo madd around the structure is reminiscent of the bygone era. Children as well as elders irrespective of their creed patronize the Fest, more so those who come in thanks giving for favors received. With the popularity of the legendary Cross growing by each passing year, many are hopeful that the devotion to the Cross will continue and the village of Salvador do Mundo will remain peaceful and in harmonious coexistence.

+Ayres Sequeira.

Summertime in Ancestral Goa.

Jackfruits on the tree

Ancestral Goa was peaceful. Our ancestors lived in the bosom of Nature. Their life was simple. They feared God, tilled the land and harvested the hills. Come April May, Nature’s bounty was unlimited: Ponos (jackfruits), ambe (mangoes), cazu (cashews), chunna, kantam (berries of different varieties) and fruits of many other types were found aplenty in the backyard gardens of the Goans and on the hills as well.

Plucking mangoes

The distinct peculiar aroma of the jack-fruits and the delicious tempting mango fragrance in the homes is what made the ancestral summertime unique. Children would spend most of their time roaming the hills in search of their favorite fruits while elders were busy in their kitchens. The produce of the fruit bearing trees was distributed among neighbors, relatives and friends in the vicinity or far away as a token of love, affection and good relationship. This era is slowly passing into oblivion. Goa is developing perhaps for the worst, nature is being destroyed and the environment is being polluted. From simple living to modern sophisticated lifestyle ~ a change is perhaps inevitable among the Goans.

Lowering mangoes

 Summer was fun for the village boys who were seen whirling round on their bicycles. Some music buffs

Old box guitar

would strum their guitars sitting under a mango tree. Others would look for an opportunity to surreptitiously climb a jackfruit tree to knock down one or display their skill aiming at a ripened mango with a ‘cati’ (s sling with a stone) to have it shot down at one stroke. Parents often received complaints much to the surprise of the errant boys, when they returned home for lunch. A good trashing or a strict warning to stop all such mischief the next time would disperse the boys for a while. But that didn’t deter the fun loving mischief-makers who would regroup together by a well and sing the much known Konkani romantic ballad: ‘Tambde Rosa tuze pole’ ( rosy are your cheeks, oh darling!). Despite all the threats and punishments, fun and hilarity continued among some jovial village boys till the summer came to an end. Sadly, time plays havoc with life. It cannot stand stationary. Ancestral Goa is not the same today.

Ayres Sequeira.