-----Original Message----- From: gilbert menezes Sent: 24 June 2002 03:07 Folks, for possibly hundreds of years, there was a tradition to burn a "Judeo"(made of cloth and stuffed with straw and fireworks) on the feast of Sao Joao , which is today. I think the church was mainly responsible for putting an end to this custom. Does anyone know how this custom originated, and did the judeo signify Judas, or a Jew? regards--Gilbert.
*************************** Source: The Jerusalem Post. 12 July 1995 Headline: India cancels 'antisemitic' festival Text: The Indian government has withdrawn funding from the Christian celebration of Judeo, a local custom which has antisemitic overtones. Judeo is traditionally celebrated on June 23 every year. But the "Clube Nationale" in Panaji, Goa, didn't mark the event this year. Club president Francisco Martins said that several Goan citizens had protested against the celebrations. While pointing out that most people were unaware that the festival was antisemitic, Martins said: "We feel this is a positive step as we do not have anything against the Jews." Judeo's origins go back to Portugal's 450 years of colonial rule over Goa. On the eve of the feast of John the Baptist, a procession would consign a straw-and-cloth effigy to a bonfire amid cheers. Local political sources speculate that India's decision is due to the recent normalization of ties with Israel. *************************** No idea of the origin of the custom but I gather that it was the practice to burn the effigy with cries of “Kill The Jew!” This was obviously not PC. It is possible that discreet pressure was brought to bear to end the ceremony – perhaps someone in Goa could ask Francisco Martins. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet =================================================================== For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
