Sao Joao

Sao Joao (St. John’s feast) was celebrated yesterday, 24th June 09, in Damao (Daman) Portuguese style as usual with 'add-ons.'

I woke up around 7am to firecrackers in the churchyard as well as echoes from the various ‘bairos.’

The day was spent putting up effigies made by stuffing old suits with straw and firecrackers. An earthen toddy pot is used for the head which is also stuffed with straw and firecrackers. The effigies are usually of men.

I had a rather heavy lunch around noon - the traditional ‘vale nascido,' a dish made of sprouted beans garnished with salted cubes of pork fat.

After lunch, I packed my family into our car and headed for the beach. Damanenses don’t wear conventional swimwear. Men and boys wear Bermuda shorts and women and girls opt for slacks and Tees. Typically, Damanenses seldom protect their eyes with sunglasses. Very few actually swim, preferring to frolic in the waves near the shoreline.

We waded along the shoreline from Ferrieros to Badrapor but got back into the car and drove to Jampore beach around 4pm. Jampore was where the party was in full swing - Damanenses from Small Daman preferred crossing the creek over to Big Daman than partying on rocky, Devka beach. There were people in the water and in little groups on the shore under the needle pine trees, partying - eating, drinking canned beer, strolling, snapping pictures, cruising in cars.

There was more fun in store elsewhere later in the evening - the ‘Judas’ effigies were burnt all over town.

For those that missed all the fun or would like a replay on a smaller scale, there's always Sao Pedro (St. Peter’s feast) to look forward to on the 29th of June.