Monti Fest: A celebration of faith and culture among Konkani Catholics

The Origins of Monti Fest

The name “Monti Fest” originates from the chapel of Nossa Senhora do Monte (Our Lady of the Mount) in Old Goa, where the feast was first celebrated in the early 16th century. The Portuguese built this chapel to honor the Virgin Mary, and the feast, centered on her nativity, became an important event in Goa. Over time, the chapel on the hill (or “monte” in Portuguese) gave the festival its name.

As Portuguese influence grew in Goa, Jesuit missionaries like Fr. Gaspar Barzeus adapted local customs to help spread Christianity. Barzeus introduced the tradition of bringing flowers to honor Mother Mary during the Monti Fest, borrowing the practice from the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, a key celebration among Hindus. Catholic children dressed in white tunics would bring flowers to the church, a practice that became central to the Monti Fest.

Migration and the Spread of Monti Fest

Monti Fest was carried beyond Goa by Konkani-speaking Catholics who migrated to Coastal Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Kerala from the 16th century onwards. This migration was prompted by several factors, including famine, declining food production, and economic hardships. The introduction of the Portuguese Inquisition in 1560, which sought to impose European cultural norms on the newly converted Goans, also spurred migration. The oppressive policies forced many Catholic converts to flee, taking their traditions and customs with them to new regions.

Coastal Karnataka, in particular, became a new home for many Konkani-speaking Catholics. The region offered fertile land, and the liberal policies of the Nayaka kings of Keladi attracted skilled laborers and cultivators. As they settled in their new environment, these Catholic migrants continued to celebrate Monti Fest, integrating it with local customs.

Monti Fest in Coastal Karnataka

Today, Monti Fest is the most important cultural festival for Konkani Catholics in Coastal Karnataka. The festival, also known as the Harvest Festival, is celebrated with great joy in both rural and urban areas. Families gather from near and far to participate in the festivities, reinforcing the festival’s role as a unifying event for the community. The celebration of Monti Fest in Karnataka closely mirrors the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in several ways, particularly in the involvement of the entire family, the focus on community, and the special significance of the harvest.

The festival begins with nine days of novenas, where children bring flowers to honor Mother Mary. The highlight of the novenas is the song “Søkkødd Sangata Mellyam” or “Let Us Mingle Together,” which is sung as children place flowers at the feet of the statue of Maria Bambina (Baby Mary). This statue, depicting the infant Virgin Mary in a cradle, was introduced to Mangaluru by the Sisters of Charity in the 19th century and has since become a key symbol of the Monti Fest celebrations in Karnataka.

Feast Day Celebrations

The main celebration of Monti Fest takes place on September 8, the Feast of the Nativity of Mary. On this day, families bring sheaves of new corn to the church, which the priest blesses during a special Feast Day Mass. The blessed corn symbolizes gratitude for the harvest and is later distributed among the parishioners to take home. This practice, similar to the Hindu tradition of celebrating the harvest during Ganesh Chaturthi, reflects the blending of local customs with Catholic traditions.

A grand vegetarian feast is prepared in homes to mark the occasion, with dishes made from local vegetables, often in odd numbers such as 3, 5, 7, or 9. This mirrors the Ganesh festival tradition of preparing special meals for the family. A sweet dish, known as ‘vorn’, is a highlight of the feast. Some parishes also distribute sugarcane to the congregation, another gesture of thanksgiving for the harvest.

The Cultural Identity of Konkani Catholics

One important aspect of Monti Fest is its role in preserving the cultural identity of Konkani-speaking Catholics. In Karnataka, Konkani Catholics are often mistakenly referred to as “Mangaloreans,” even though they are spread across regions such as Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, and Bengaluru. However, language plays a key role in defining their cultural identity. Just as Gujarati speakers are known as Gujaratis and Sindhi speakers as Sindhis, Konkani-speaking people, regardless of their location, are identified as Konkanis.

This shared cultural identity is reinforced through celebrations like Monti Fest, which transcend regional and geographical boundaries. Konkani-speaking Catholics around the world, whether in India or abroad, celebrate Monti Fest with great enthusiasm, passing on their traditions to future generations.

Conclusion

Monti Fest, once rooted in the hills of Old Goa, has evolved into a vibrant celebration of faith, culture, and family among Konkani Catholics in Karnataka and beyond. Despite its Portuguese origins, the festival has been shaped by local customs and traditions, making it a unique reflection of the community’s history and identity. Today, Monti Fest stands as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of Konkani Catholics, who have preserved their cultural heritage through centuries of migration and change.