What is a Mangalorean roce?

“Roce” (Coconut Milk ) is a traditional ceremony held in Mangalore 1 or 2 days prior to the Mangalorean Catholic Wedding. Roce is a Konkani word that symbolizes purity, just like the white milky fluid that flows out, while grinding a coconut.

What caste are Mangalorean Catholics?

The overwhelming majority of Mangalorean Catholics are of Goud Saraswat Brahmin lineage. Historian Alan Machado Prabhu estimates that almost 95 per cent of Mangalorean Catholics have Goan origins.

What is a ROCE ceremony?

Roce is a beautiful ceremony preceding the nuptials, symbolizing purification of the body of the young bride/groom to cleanse her/him and make them pure in the eyes of God as they are about to enter into the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.

Why do Goan Catholic brides wear glass bangles?

The bangles are made of glass and very delicate. This ceremony is usually performed at the house of the maternal uncle of the bride. These bangles represent married life and hence if her husband passes away or dies then the woman is made to break her bangles over the coffin and the pieces are thrown in.

How do you do a ROCE ceremony?

The ceremony begins with the close family praying over the bride/groom. Typically a Bible verse followed by specific prayers and ends with the whole gathering singing a common hymn. First the parents apply the Roce followed by close relatives and finally the rest of the gathering queue up for the same.

What is Vojem?

A fun part of the ceremony is something called ‘Vojem’. In olden times, it would become difficult for the families of the bride and groom to bear all the expenses of the wedding as well as the roce ceremony.

What caste are Goan Catholics?

Native Catholics in rural Goa retained their former Hindu castes. The Bamonns (the Konkani word for Brahmins) were members of the Hindu priestly caste. Brahmin sub-castes (such as the Goud Saraswat Brahmins, the Padyes, the Daivadnyas), the goldsmiths and some merchants were lumped into the Christian caste of Bamonn.

Is Roman Catholic minority in India?

Indian Christian Minority As per 2001 census there are about 27 million Christians in India (2.5% Christians and among them 1.8 million Catholics, nearly equal to the population of Canada in 2001). Christianity is India’s largest religion after Hinduism and Islam.

Why is Haldi applied before marriage?

Since turmeric or haldi is known for its medicinal properties as well as being antiseptic, an application of this ingredient before marriage would ensure that the bride and groom are blessed with blemish-free skin. It also ensures that the couple is protected against any cuts, bruises or ailments before the wedding.

What do the 7 steps in a Hindu wedding mean?

Saptapadi
Saptapadi (English: seven steps, saptapadī) is the most important rite (Sanskrit: rītī) of a Hindu marriage ceremony. The word, Saptapadi means “Seven steps”. After tying the Mangalsutra, the newlywed couple take seven steps, that is called Saptapadi. After the seventh step, the couple legally become husband and wife.

What religion is Goa?

Goan religious practices are followed by almost everyone who is settled over there. Most people tend to have a thinking that Goa is predominantly a Christian state but the major religion of Goa is Hinduism.

Which is the highest caste in Goa?

Bhandari originally were also called as (Bhavaguna’s) form the largest caste group in the state of Goa, reportedly being over approximately 30% of that state’s Hindu population.

Which is the most important ceremony in a Mangalorean wedding?

A Mangalorean wedding begins with the Roce ceremony, and so did Karen’s. “The Roce ceremony takes place one day before the wedding, and it is one of the most important traditional ceremonies for Mangalorean Catholics. This ritual celebrates the last day of the bride and groom’s virginity.

What is the culture of the Catholics in Mangalore?

The Culture of Mangalorean Catholics is a blend of Goan and Mangalorean cultures. After migration to Mangalore, they adopted the local Mangalorean culture, but retained many of their Goan customs and traditions.

How is the Ros ceremony celebrated in Mangalore?

Ros ( anointing) ceremony, conducted one or two days before a wedding, celebrates the last day of virginity of the bride and bridegroom and involves the parents’ blessing of the bride and groom, who are anointed with ros, a mixture of coconut milk and coconut oil, while a cross is inscribed on the bride’s forehead.

How is RoCE anointing done in Mangalorean weddings?

In earlier days only the women applied roce to the bride/groom. This anointing is done accompanied by singing of the voviyos by women, the procedure being one women leads the song while the rest of the women say ‘voi’ voi’ (yes, yes) at the end of each verse and then repeat the last verse.