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Cultural Bonding- Harvest Festival at Consolata Shrine, Nairobi, Kenya.

September 30, 2017, Konkani speaking Catholic Christians having their origin in Konkan Coast of Karnataka,(KKCN)  India, together with members of Mangalorean Cultural association, both small and informal groups came together to celebrate Harvest Festival at Consolata Shrine Nairobi.

About 200 people, from different backgrounds, faith and beliefs were brought together through their strong cultural background as one family to celebrate a festival known by different names like Hosa Akki Oota,  Kural Porba, Monti Festh etc. similar to other festivals celebrated throughout India during the month of September.

The festival is also known as family feast is celebrated, together with entire family and friends. It involves blessing of the crop, (Paddy Stalks used back home , whereas we used here Maize Corn)  and partaking in Strictly vegetarian meal (with odd number of vegetarian dishes) together with the consumption of a sweet dish mixed with blessed corn/rice signifying our unity and family bond.

The program started with singing of devotional songs, showering of flowers around 2.8 meters tall statue of Our Lady of Consolata, which was manufactured in Mangalaore, followed by speeches and reflections on the feast by Mr.Michael Sequeira, Chairman of KKKCN, who reflected on the importance of celebrating the feast as one community, then by Mr.Sriram Phadke, Chairman of Mangalorean Cultural association (MCA)  who also dwelt further on the cultural as well as religious significance of the feast. Mr Ravi Putran, Chairman of Karnataka Cultural Association and also member of MCA in his remarks stated that the  harvest Festival is not only expressing gratitude to mother earth for providing food but also to remind us to take care of Mother Earth and our environment.

Fr.Francis Rodrigues, the main speaker stressed the importance of our unity, in that he said, we may Call our mother by different names, may be Laxmi, Durga or Mother Mary, but Mother is One irrespective the names. He further drew analogy between our biological mother and Mother nature, where both of them continue providing unceasingly, may be food, protection, love, comfort etc.

Fr.Daniel Bertea IMC, Parish Priest Consolata Shrine present on the occasion also spoke and appreciated the cultural and religious harmony practiced by the community. Mr.Wilson D’souza compered the program and Mr.Basil Serrao proposed vote of Thanks.

The traditional food was prepared by Lady members of the community together with the support from Chaupaty and Open House Restaurants.

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