Judev
On 23rd of June, the previous day of the Feast of St. John the Baptist, the people of Goa celebrate the burning of Judev.
Who or what is Judev?
In the good old days, again under the umbrage of Scripture, a huge effigy of a man, (scare crow type) was erected to represent Judev, this was to be taken and burnt, as a reprisal to the person who ordered the beheading of St. John (I cannot vouch for this statement as I have heard different versions).
This huge monstrosity was stuffed with hay and crackers and placed on the side of the road in full view of spectators. In the night it was placed on an open ground and the youth surrounded it with batons made of the stems of the coconut palm leaf, resembling a cricket-bat (pidde). They then burnt it and the crackers burst while the youth burned it down beating and thumping on it, till it reduced to ashes. They yelled in unision, São João Sagor! And the people took up the refrain with “Judev-acho Gobor”.
This practice is changed a bit and instead hay is deposited on the road in front of houses, the youth shout as before Judev! Judev!! Judev!!! I am also told that some say that it symbolizes that on the Birthday of St. John, the Old Testament ended and the New
Testament came into being. Your guess is as good as mine- Viva Judev, Sagor, Gobor.
Courtesy: Sebastian D’Cruz