Human Flower Project
Monthi Fest, Mary’s Birthday
Coming soon to a town near you? Maybe, if you live in proximity to any Konkani speakers, for whom this is the biggest celebration of the year.
With flowers at the altar, Monthi Fest
St. Joseph’s Church, Belman, India, 2007
Photo: Wilson D’Souza Shirva
Does September 8 ring any bells? Or rustle any sugarcane? If you live in India’s western port city of Mangalore or are among the 7.6 million speakers of Konkani on Earth, it surely does. This is Monthi Fest, Holy Mary’s birthday. And while it’s not much celebrated in most of the Catholic world, in parishes of Mangalore this is “the most important day for Konkani-speaking Christians.” The superlative flowers leave no doubt about that.
This website will cheer your eyes, with photographs of religious rites throughout Mangalore and outlying towns. The rituals are slightly different place to place but everywhere they combine the honoring of baby Mary (“Monthi” in the Konkani language) and the blessing of harvest season’s first fruits, vegetables, flowers, and grains.
Statue of the baby Mary with blessed sheaves of corn
Immaculate Conception Church, Urwa
Photo: Cyril Fernndes
Today’s feast, known as the “Nove Jevan” (new meal), is completely vegetarian. “Every Christian family takes home from church new yield of paddy and sugarcane, blessed by the priests.” The sacred grains are then crushed, added to milk (sometimes of the coconut variety), and served to all by the eldest member of the family.
Most parishes also hold parades. Everyone in their brightest clothes files behind a statue of the baby Mary. Up the aisle in local churches, people carry baskets of flowers and produce, and corn shucks by the armload (Note to florists: Ever tried using flowering corn in your arrangements?). The priests pray over the first bounties of the harvest. And then, what must be the culmination of the nine-day festival, children splash Mary’s statue with flowers.
Nativity Day, Holy Cross Church, Cordel Kulshekar
September 8, 2007
Photo: Praveen Tauro
From a few paddles out into the web, it seems that Monthi fest is spreading throughout the world as speakers of Konkani move to Australia, the United Arab Emirates, England and the U.S. The first-ever Monthi fest celebration occurred in Washington, D.C. yesterday.
As “minor” languages disappear, the strength of “Nativity Day” (as Monthi fest is also known) is heartening. A big part of this celebration is musical, the singing of hymns in the mother tongue: “Sokkad Sangatha Melyam” and “Moriyek Hogolsyam.” Fortified with floral ritual, Konkani-speakers are affirming their traditions and their faith. Endurance can be more than hanging on. How about exuberant?
Happy Birthday, Mary!
Photo: Praveen Tauro