The small but dynamic community of
Goa Damão and
Diu in Macau, has very much made their presence felt here in
Macau, a Chinese dominated, multicultural territory with people not only from the Portuguese speaking countries but also from other walks of life.
The art, culture and gastronomy of Goa, Damão and Diu are well known and very much appreciated in Macau. For years through the ‘Grupo de Danças e Cantares de Goa Damão e Diu’, the folk songs and dances like,
Aum Saibá Poltodi Vétam, Barra de Damão, O` Divan de Mogará and others have been virtually instilled in the hearts of the Portuguese, Chinese and other communities. The people of Macau are so familiar with the historical and religious monuments through the construction of replicas of the Arco de Vis Rei in Goa, Fortaleza de São Jerónimo in Damão, Fortim do Mar in Diu and other monuments. They have also captured the taste of our
Sarapatel, Samosas,
Bebinca, Aranha do Céu, Bolinhas de Coco and many more.
With its mark strongly inlaid in Macau, the cultural and diplomatic event-organizers of Macau specifically those linked to the Portuguese culture, can’t simply exclude our participation. The Grupo de Danças e Cantares de Goa Damão e Diu, has been promoting and livening the occasions such as “Dia das Camões.. das Cumunidades e de Portugalidade” or 10 de Junho, Dia de Cidade de Macau, which is on the 24th of June which coincides with the Feast of São João, and until the erst-while Portuguese rule was a holiday - unfortunately not any more. This popular ‘Festa do São João’ has been revived after being suspended for a couple of years. ‘Grupo de Danças e Cantares de Goa Damão e Diu’, has always been invited to perform on this day where we do not hesitate to show that we too celebrate São João by singing São João, São João. São João..dai nos…, Rio Sandalcalo etc. Even papdi and Gunn, a locally available fruit seasoned in vinegar and water - (the Damão aceitonas).
The most significant of all is our involvement in the
‘Festa de Lusofonia’, (Lusofonia-portuguese speaking countries) organized by the
Institute de Assuntos Cívicos de Macau, (formerly Leal Senado de Macau) and the
Macau Government Tourism Office. This yearly event was started in 1998 and has become an important event to the local government as a tourist attraction. Participating countries such as Macau, Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, Brazil, Sao Tome e Principe, Cabo Verde, Brazil, Timor, and Goa, Damão e Diu promote their art, culture and food.
Not to boast, Goa Damão e Diu has been prominent with its magnificent exhibits and our pavilion has won either 1st, 2nd or 3rd prizes, practically every year. With its life size replicas of monuments which have been interior decorated with, traditional clothing, arts and crafts, caju fenni, posters, Indian condiments, not sparing the grinding stone (rogdo in Konkanni and pedra de moeira tempeira in Damão-Diu portuguese), clay water pot (gurgulo in Konkanni and calão in Damão-Diu Portuguese), coconut grater (gantonem/…… in Konkanni and ralador de coco-in Damão and Diu Portuguese), All these brought all the way from Goa, Damão or Diu. Thanks to the talents of some of our community members - visitors, tourists and organizers are overwhelmed. Participating countries never doubt that we should be awarded a prize for the most original and artistic pavilion where our effort, time, dedication, craftsmanship and above all the originality is portrayed year on year.
The Grupo de Danças e Cantares de Goa, Damão e Diu with its local talent, but of high quality have been commended for our traditional songs, dances and costumes. Even the locals and notably the Portuguese kids who are part of the group can sing: Aum saibá poltodi vétam, Damulea lognacú vétam, maka saibá vattu dacoi maka saibá vattu collonam....,
Barra de Damão......
Our delicious sarapatel, xacuti, espetada, samosas, bhajias, bhaji de batata, apas (chapatti) bebinca, bolos, aranhas do ceu etc, have brought mouth-watering locals and tourists returning to our pavilion for more.
On the religious aspect, the local community of Macau has realized how devoted the Catholics of Goa-Damão and Diu are. For years, the 3rd of December is celebrated, remembering our patron saint, Saint Francis Xavier. An Eucharistic celebration in Konkanni/Portuguese/English, with the culminating hymn…..Sáo Francisco Xavierá…. Tuji kuddi Goem xará……… to the Patron Saint of Goa, is attended by the community of Goa, Damão e Diu as well as the local devotees of St. Francis Xavier.
And with candles in their hands, the same way the Damaneses do it on the steps of Câmara Municipal de Damão, the local Damão community here has been celebrating the ‘Festa de Nossa Senhora das Candeias’ on the 2nd of February for the past 14 years.
And undoubtedly a spread of traditional food, singing and dancing goes with it. All this is savoured by our local invitees. To be frank, people from our community long for our traditional, zesty and mouth-watering spread too.
The Rosary with a Litany and the Way of the Cross are also held by our community where the locals also join in.
Through all this, for years, the Goa-Damão-Diu community of the past and the present has strongly made its presence felt in Macau.
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