Novidade

Novidade is the name of the offering ceremony when farmers of both the Hindu and Christian community offer the first rice crop harvest to the church before proceeding with anymore harvesting the.

This festival that occurs in the Indian months of Bhadra-Pada, and corresponds with the months of August and September, is an exemplary evidence of the religious integrity and tolerance of the people of Goa. During the time of the Novidade, the parish priest plays the part of the harvester by himself harvesting a sheaf of rice. He returns with this first sheaf to the Church, where he offers it before the altar of the Lord. Regardless of the farmer’s religion, no one will harvest his rice crop before this traditional offering has been made during the Novidade; the harvesting commences in its regular process only after this ritual has been conducted.

Local people accompany the priest to the Church in a procession singing hymns and other songs of adoration. Music, fire-works and jubilation are the chief celebratory displays during the festival. A dance, called the Bhandup, too is performed by the women folk of one of Goa's earliest tribal settlers. This dance is performed during the second half of the month.