The villages of Goa erupt in an ancient fiery celebration – Judev, alternatively spelled as Judev – on the eve of the Feast of St John the Baptist on the 23rd of June. Though São João is famous for the water festivities, the night prior holds a lesser-known celebration deeply intertwined with folklore, fire, and music.
What is the Judev Festival?
Judev is a ritual celebrated in several Goan villages, most notably in Chapora and Siolim, where the men and boys of the village come together to perform a symbolic act of cleansing and remembrance. On this night, every home prepares for a ceremonial visit by village youth, who go door to door singing in front of fires lit in open yards.
The Ritual in Practice
As twilight falls, villagers place bundles of hay in front of their homes and set them alight. Groups of young men and boys carrying “pidde” sticks made from coconut palm fronds walk from house to house, singing traditional verses around each fire. Their chants fill the air, echoing phrases like:
“São João Sangodd, Kurpecho Duvor, Judevacho Gobor!” The line is both humorous and symbolic, used to mock and drive out negativity, embodied in Judev, a figure they prepare to burn.
Who is Judev?
The identity of Judev varies across interpretations, but tradition often links him to Herod—the biblical king who ordered the beheading of St. John the Baptist. To represent this betrayal, villagers once built a massive effigy of Judev—a scarecrow-like figure made from hay and stuffed with firecrackers.
After nightfall, the youth would drag this effigy to an open ground. Surrounded by drumming, chanting, and the rhythmic thumping of pidde sticks, they would set Judev ablaze, allowing the firecrackers to explode in symbolic vengeance and purification.
A Tradition of Unity and Celebration
While the effigy-burning practice has faded in some areas, the spirit of the celebration lives on through fire rituals and communal singing. Judev is more than folklore—it’s a powerful moment of community bonding, where generations gather to perform songs passed down orally, celebrate their faith, and usher in the joyous day of São João.
In villages like Chapora and Siolim, locals still uphold the tradition with great pride. Children grow up learning the songs, the rhythms, and the meaning behind the chants. It serves as a cultural bridge between the past and the present.
Keeping the Fire Alive
Though modern life and urbanization have dulled some of Judev’s flamboyant practices, the festival still burns bright in the hearts of many Goans. It reminds us of the rich, often overlooked layers of Goan heritage—where every fire, song, and effigy has a story to tell.
As São João approaches each year, remember that the real celebration begins the night before, with flickering flames, rhythmic chants, and the echo of “Judevacho Gobor!” rising into the Goan night sky.
