After the feast high mass, the kings make their journey downward which started at 12.20 noon and reaching at Cansaulim Church square just before 2 pm. In between the 1.5hr of journey, the king entourage makes 7 stops (Traditional halting stations) where crowns of the kings taken off and briefly touched to the peoples heads as if making them also a king for a split second.
People going here would say 'Hanv Krov galunk voitam'
They also kiss the large Crosses in the Kings hands but chained around the kings necks. (watch video)
First such stop is at the foothill at Cuelim, second station about 350 mtrs away. Passing through the fields, then come the 3rd Halt at Xendo fields. The entourage then comes off the field and takes the road towards Cuelim- Borsulem but at the pond or lake it takes right to reach 'Goykars' house next to T B Cunha ancestors House (both houses shown in the Video). At this halt, traditionally, pez or Kanji was served to all but now just a soft drink to the King and his people. It then passes through the 'Pandd' hollow passage way to come out again on to the main road towards Cuelim - Cansaulim Church Road. Near Late Alberto Cunha House (shown in the video) but on the main road is the 5th Station. Immediately, say about 100 (or less) mtrs away comes the 6th Station infront of 'Regidor' House. I guess this halt was introduced to honour the then Regidor during Portuguese time. 'Regidor' could mean a collector or administrator of Municipality.
Following the same road comes the 7th Station at Barca where Kings come off the horse backs and rest on a bench or sofa. At this place horses are also given some refreshment (Horses are hired from Belgaum, Kolhapur etc). 8th station is in front of the St. Thomas Church.
Earlier, (before 90s) only two kings came here now all 3
The horses/kings lined up facing the Church (see pics).
Here they will sing 'Laudate' and a sort of flag / Bonderam waving act at the Church Main door - watch video.
Each king entourage has its own large flag - see pic/ video. They also had large colourful umbrellas
3 times larger than what you see in the video.
From here, the Cuelim King and his entourage take different way out / route and the remaining kings will follow the main Cansaulim road upto to say Market from where they go their own but traditional ways or route to reach their homes or destination i.e. Cansaulim and Arossim.
Last king of Arossim could reach home around 3pm. (he must have started his journey say 8 in the morning to be up there right on time for feast high mass at 10 or 10.30.)
Please note the kings have their 3 different paths or trails to reach the hill top. However, when coming down they will follow another common trail as shown in the video in the beginning. All these 3+1 trails are called 'Paz' or 'Reyamchi Paz' (Kings route or trail)
The entire traditional route from Chapel to the Church could be about 7 kms , add 4-5 Kms more upto Arossim.
Each King entourage has its own brass band and they will play in turns to keep up with the continuity as can be seen in the video.
Pics
The Department of Art & Culture Govt. of Goa had organised State level Crib Competition during Christmas Festival in Two Categories i.e.
a) Institution/Group & b) Individual/household from 26th to 30th December, 2015 as a part of promotion & preservation of this age old tradition of crib making in Goa.
In Institution/Group Category 29 groups and in Individual/household Category 24 individuals have participated in the competition. A panel of three jury members comprising of renowned Artist, Shri Wilson D’Souza, Shri Eknath mahale, Shri Julio D’Souza judged the competition. The results of State level Crib Competition-2015 in both the categories are as follows:
Institution/Group Catogory
First Prize: (Rs. 15,000/- & certificate) –
St.Philip & St.James Parish Youth, near Church, Cortalim, Mormugao – Goa.
Second Prize: (Rs. 10,000/- & certificate) –
Pale-Bellem Wards of Velsao, Near St.Stephan Chapel, Pale Velsao, Mormugao – Goa.
Third Prize: (Rs. 7,000/- & certificate) –
Mexico Boys Cansaulim, Costa Vaddo, Cuelim, Cansaulim, Salcete – Goa.
Five Consolation Prizes of Rs. 5,000/- each & certificate:
1. S.S.Boys of Baida, Baida, Nuvem, Salcete – Goa.
2. St. Anthony Boys, Agalli, Margao – Goa.
3. Don Bosco Youth Association, Tuem, Pernem – Goa.
4. Candolim Committee, Candolim Pintos Vaddo near Holycross (Mandor) Candolim, Bardez – Goa.
5. Capuchin Fathers Farmhouse, Ordhofond, Poiguinim, Cancona – Goa.
Individual/ Household Catogory
First Prize: (Rs. 10,000/- & certificate) –
Abeleena Luis Raia Daman, Salcete – Goa.
Second Prize: (Rs. 7,000/- & certificate) –
Anson A. Menezes, Near Opa water
Works, Khandepar, Ponda – Goa.
Third Prize: (Rs. 5,000/- & Certificate)
Darric Dias, Aquem Baixo,
Gantamorod, Navelim, Salcete – Goa.
Five Consolation Prizes of Rs. 3,000/- each & certificate:
1. Mr. Richard Caldeira, Alto, Santa –Cruz, Ponda – Goa.
2. Mr. Francis Xavier D’souza, St. Anthony Church Marna, Siolim, Bardez – Goa.
3. Mr. Johnvin Pinto, St. Michal Church, Anjuna Chivas, Anjuna, Bardez – Goa.
4. Mr. Menino Pereira, Mazillvaddo, Nagoa Verna, Salcete – Goa.
5. Mr. Melvin Fernandes Nr.ID hospital, Santacruz, Ponda – Goa
XMAS Cribs from Goa year 2015
Margao, Mungul, Seraulim, Utorda, Arossim, Tonttem, Cansaulim, Velsao, Cortalim etc
First Prize winning Crib
St.Philip & St.James Parish Youth, near Church, Cortalim
(Remain open till 16 January Feast of St. Joseph Vaz) Watch Video 7 below
