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Saddo Ceremony
In the
northern part of Goa, there is a beautiful ceremony called the Saddo.
Saddo
is the ceremonial cutting of the cloth, normally flowery red, to be worn
by the bride in the house after the wedding. A tiny image of
child Jesus is placed on the floor mat where the tailor is sitting with
the clothes, at their house and two tiny length wise pieces of
clothes are cut by him and placed there in the form of a cross.
To begin with, there is the 'Nomon' in which blessing of God
almighty and especially of the virgin Mary, mother of Jesus are invoked
in the form of Zot (a special song peculiar to the occasion sung by an
expert song-stress). Then each relative, from the nearest to begin
with, followed by others to the accompaniment of references to them
made in beautiful metaphor in the form of Zotis, walks up to the spot
where lies the Infant Jesus and lays his or her offerings of money
from Rs2 to Rs10 before the image. Then a piece of betel nut and leaf
with calcined lime and some sweets are disturbed to the people present.
The elder men are served with liquor, women and children with sweet red
wine and soft drinks. The money collected on the occasion is taken by
the tailor, apart from his wages. The tailor will later stitch
the main wedding dress or gown in milky white colour and other necessary
clothes for the bride and near relatives, brides maids etc. The brides
gown, ornaments and trousseau are displayed in a special ceremony at which
people are invited, and then they are sent to the groom's place for display
there.
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The Hair Cutting Ritual
On the day prior to the marriage,
the groom is set on a ceremonial stool
or chair at home and the barber formerly the family barber, cuts his
hair in an appropriate cut. Songs are sung on the occasion and friends and
relatives gather to witness it. The barber is paid a handsome remuneration
in cash as well as given presents in the form of coconut and a
measure of rice and sweet meats. This ceremony is held prior to the bath
with coconut-pulp, juice or milk. This ceremony is held among all communities.
The bath with coconut pulp: Among Christians, on
the evening preceding the
wedding day the bride at her place and the groom at his, take a
ceremonial bath with coconut pulp-juice or milk. It starts with applying
ceremonially to the accompaniment of special verses called Zotis, peculiar to the
occasion, sung by trained women. On the head or a part of the body of the
bride or groom, clad in bathing dress, at his /her own place, a tumbler
full
or cup full of juice extracted from coconut-shredded pulp kept in a pot is
applied, by relatives in a proper order of priority, followed by friends.
This is done first, out side the bathing room, in the hall.
The second part of the bathing ceremony consists
of a bath with water
possibly warm in the bathing room, again in a ceremonial manner, with songs
being sung in a group. After bathing with a tumbler of water, a few
coins are dropped into the pot of water, kept for the purpose. All the money dropped
into the pots is taken by the maids who helped or were called for
preparing the bath water and coconut pulp juice.
Hindus too have a similar bath but not so elaborate. They have
an additional application of turmeric (halad) and oil on the body of the
bride. Among Muslims, this practice does not exist.
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The Beggar's Lunch
Among Christians, a lavish feast called the Beggar's
lunch or Bhick Reamfevon is held a day or two before the wedding day,
preferably on a Tuesday. Seven or nine poor people, both men and women
are invited to a sumptuous lunch with pork, beef, fish, rice and a curry
of a special type called 'samrachi koddi'. They squat on the floor mat
and specially prepared jack fruit tree leaves, well plaited into
plates, are placed before them into which food is served or ladled
out by the bride and groom at each one's place of residence. The intention
behind the service is to feed and satisfy the ancestors on this important
occasion in their house through the medium of these beggars. Coconut
oil is also given for their hair and a bidi
or cigarette, according to the preference expressed by them. They are
also given a sweet dish of gram dal
and soji a sweet composed of wheat preparation and bananas. Instead of
coconut-feni, a sweet wine could also be served to them.
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