If you have a sweet tooth, then Goa is the place to be in August. During this month, there are many harvest festivals that offer delicious treats. Besides August 15th being India’s Independence Day, it is also celebrated by many Christians as the feast of the ‘Assumption of Mother Mary into Heaven.’ To commemorate this feast, Goans make a special sweet dish called ‘Patolleo.’ Patolleo is a traditional sweet made from the new paddy (rice), grated coconut, and jaggery, all wrapped in turmeric leaves. This dish is also part of the harvest festival celebrations
The Patolleanchem Fest in Succorro
One of the biggest festivals celebrating this tradition takes place in the quaint village of Succorro in Goa at the ‘Our Lady of Succorro Church.’ This village has seven wards or vaddos: Ambirna, Arrarim, Carrem, Maina, Porvorim, Vaddem, and Zosvaddo. They come together under the Succorro Socio Art and Cultural Association to celebrate the Patolleanchem Fest.
Themes of the Festival
According to the Parish Priest, Fr. Santana Carvalho, the feast has been celebrated for the last three years with different themes. The first year was themed ‘earthenware,’ showcasing pottery. The second year focused on ‘rice,’ with various rice dishes prepared by the villagers. The third year’s theme was ‘coconut,’ highlighting the many uses of coconut and coconut-based dishes. This year, the theme is ‘music,’ which is said to be in every Goan’s blood.
Festivities and Performances
Keeping with the theme, three groups of 40 members, including children, youth, and adults, performed traditional Konkani songs and upbeat music for the crowds. A traditional brass band and other musicians entertained the audience. Young singers performed songs by famous Konkani singer Lorna. About 2,000 people attended the feast, with visitors outnumbering the villagers! The highlight of the feast was the Patolleos and Puddes prepared by the villagers. They served 1,500 Patolleos and 500 Puddes to all the guests. Christian Adivasis from Quepem also participated, demonstrating age-old dances like dhallo, fugdi, sopeardade, moraile, and ambopikotto.
Special Displays and Community Spirit
One stall displayed vintage cameras, video projectors, and posters, taking visitors back in time. Lawrence Wilson of Kalay, Sanguem organized this event. The festival also had its own theme song ‘Patolleanchem Fest,’ composed and performed by Vera Pereira. Marius Fernandes conceived the idea of the Patolleanchem Fest to revive old feasts and foster community spirit. The festival promotes a stance against alcohol, plastic, sponsorships, competitions, prizes, and chief guests.
Traditional Lunch
Another highlight was the traditional lunch cooked in selected houses of different wards. The menu included:
– Boiled Rice
– Benneche Kodi (orange gravy made with coconut and lady fingers)
– Melgor (a dish made with chickpeas and coconut)
– Sannas (a Goan preparation made with rice and toddy)
– Vohn (a sweet made with jaggery and rice)
