Platinum Jubilee Vojhen Procession & Cooking Preparations Back

The Vojhen procession on the eve of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of the Most Holy Redeemer Church, Derebail started from Konchady at 6 PM on Saturday, 26^th April. About 600 Parishioners, young and old alike assembled at Konchady and marched in a procession accompanied by the Band and trucks full of Vojhen for the community dinner planned on Sunday, 27^th April in culmination of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. The procession passed through the main road in front of the Church till the Kuntikan Junction and then turned to enter the School Grounds to a traditional welcome of Betel Leaves and Water by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Peter D’souza and Assistant Parish Priest, Fr. Edwin Monis. The Vojhen items were then lowered from the trucks and gathered at the main cooking place in readiness for the cooking preparations slated to start at 7 AM on Sunday, 27^th April at the Church Mini Hall.

Here is a little background on the significance of the Vojhen procession during community celebrations. In earlier times, our ancestors were engaged mainly in agriculture and were poor. Whenever a Wedding function took place in any house, the relatives used to attend the function in large numbers and stayed in the Bride’s/ Bridegroom’s place for many days. It was difficult for the Yezmani (Head of the Household) to spend a large amount on their stay, during this time. In order to lessen his burden (VOJHEN), the close relatives and neighbors contributed in kind to meet the day to day expenses of the guests and the Roce and wedding day meal requirements like Rice, Coconuts, Plantains, Vegetables, Ash gourds, Plantain leaves, Chickens, goat, sheep and Pig. These things were brought to the venue (Matov) in a procession with all festivity to the mast sound of the Brass Band. Those who could afford engaged the services of TALIM group and the instrument “Komb” was also used to make it more attractive. When this procession arrived at the venue (Matov), with the main person or DAIJI, the Yezmani would welcome him with great respect and after making the announcements of who sent what item, the Vojhen would be received by the Yezmani. During that time relevant and meaningful Voviyos used to be sung by the elderly people.

The Vojhen procession held today had all the festivities of earlier times. There was a band and there a display of Talim by a parishioner. All the Parishioners of the Wards contributed the Vojhen and the Ward wise contributions were as follows:

• Bafat and Sambhar Powders – Derebail Ward
• Sambhar Items – Santosh D’costa, Derebail Ward
• Cashew nuts and Kishmish – Barebail Lower Ward
• 150 Kgs of Pork – Kuntikan Junction Ward
• 50 Kgs of Pork - Kottara Ward
• 55 Kgs of Pork - Barebail Upper Ward
• Pork and Masalas - Parapade Lower Ward
• Sponsor for cooking - Kuntikan Ward
• Cake and Cold Drink – Landlinks Upper Ward
• Kabuli Channa and Garlic – Akashbhavan Ward
• Coconut and Onions – Highway Ward
• Rice – Konchady Lower Ward
• 5 Kgs Tamarind – Rudolph Concessao, Konchady 2^nd Ward
• Dates – Bennett Noronha, Bejai Ward
• Chicken – Dennis Almeida, Landlinks Lower Ward
• Bread – Landlinks Lower Ward
• Moong Dhal – Kavoor Ward
• Chairs, Shamiyana, etc – Parapade Upper Ward
• Firewood – KSRTC Ward
• Ghee, Dalda, Oil and other items – Gollachil Ward
• Plates, Utensils and Accessories – Konchady 2^nd Ward
• Green Chilies, Tomatoes and Ginger – Kottara Cross Ward
• Jaggery, Sugar, Salt and Vinegar – Church Ward
• 150 coconuts – Kapikad Ward
• 4 bunches of tender coconuts – Sponsored by a parishioner from Parapade Lower Ward
• Jaggery and Moong Dhal – Sponsored by a Parishioner from LandLinks Upper Ward

Apart from the above, many Parishioners sponsored other items in kind. The Van was decorated by Gerry Concessao while the pickup trucks were decorated by Dona Fernandes. We are thankful for Jason Band which added to the festivity of the celebrations. The crackers were sponsored by a Parishioner from Konchady Ward.

Snacks and cold drinks were served to the gathering once all the Vojhen were transferred to the cooking venue. The Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council, Mr. Anil Patrao gave instructions for the Platinum Jubilee Eucharistic celebrations. Parishioners were requested to come at 7 AM on Sunday, 27^th April to assist in cooking the community dinner. All the Parishioners then proceeded to cleanse and wash the utensils and plates in preparation for the meal. The MC, Victor Correa thanked the gathering for their support and cooperation and concluded the Vojhen ceremony with ‘Dev Boren Karun’

On 27th April, Sunday morning, even before 7 AM, a good number of parishioners gathered at the Parish mini hall to start the cutting and cooking for the evening celebration dinner. The Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Peter D’souza led the gathering in prayer and then declared the preparations open. All, young and old, came equipped with cutting boards, knives, choppers, sharpeners and scrapers and proved they were adept at cleaning and cutting.

In no time, groups of Parishioners started to cut the pork for the Bafad while other groups starting peeling the onions, cleaning the ginger, slicing the green chillies, peeling the garlic and scraping the cucumber. Breakfast of Idly/Chutney/Sambhar was served along with piping hot tea to encourage the Parishioners. Some of the enthusiastic Parishioners took the initiative to sing old songs and made the atmosphere lively. Everyone volunteered and within a matter of few hours, all the chopping and cleaning was done. In parallel, at the cooking venue, a separate team was busy with grinding and doing the actual cooking.

Other volunteerss helped to arrange the chairs while the Sisters were busy decorating the altar. It was a joyous scene to witness the unity and cooperation of the Parishioners in lending a helping hand to make every bit of preparation for the Jubilee celebrations a grand success.