Annual ‘sangodd’ at Baga wows locals, tourists

BAGA: The otherwise sleepy locale of

Baga

wore a

festive look

on Saturday as villagers and tourists alike paraded along the bank of the picturesque creek to witness the traditional ‘sangodd’ (boat parade), on Saturday.

There is difference in the way

Sao Joao

is celebrated in riverine villages than further inland, and the festivities at Baga highlighted just that. On the morning of the feast, villagers converged near the Baga bridge to bind together two traditional fishing boats and place a platform across them to create a makeshift stage.

The ‘sangodd’, which began at around 4pm, had popular Goan tiatr artistes such as Prince Jacob, John D’Silva and

Tony de Ribandar

on board. They belted out several nostalgic songs as well as some rib-tickling comedy performances as the ‘sangodd’ sailed up the creek. Cross-dressed men donning garish outfits, also rode on the boat and did their bit to put a smile on their audiences’ faces.

People later converged at the community cross to offer prayers. Newly married couples and those who had had their first child presented ‘dahli’ (fruit platters) as thanksgiving. The fruits were then distributed among all the participants.