WEDDING RITUALS
A matov was erected in front of the house of the bride and groom. When the madi was to be laid for the matov, the elder of the house used to pour in the opening a calice (small cup) full of feni, and then insert the madi. The matov is to be erected on a Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Monday is considered to be a day devoted to the spirits.
Thursday and Friday are inauspicious, as on those days, Jesus suffered the most.
On the wedding day, the calcada i.e. the wedding dress and other paraphernalia needed by the bride, is sent to her house by the groom with a close relative, either a sister or sister-in-law, or an aunt who has to help the bride dress up.
When the calcada leaves the house, crackers are fired to inform the neighbour's. Before leaving their residences for the nuptials, both, the bride and the groom are blessed by the brothers, sisters, relatives and friends. Gifts in cash or kind are given to them. After the nuptials the entourage used to walk back home to the groom's house for the reception.
This group of people along with the couple used to be called or, they would not step into the house directly on their return from the church, but would go to a neighbour's house until the relatives and friends came. The bride has to step into the house with her right foot. The groom's mother fastens a gold chain on the neck of the bride, and then couple is taken in by the older couple of the house.
The newly weds are then taken to the oratory where they have to kneel to the recitation of prayers. Laudade is sung by village mestre. The groom's mother, or a sister or sister-in-law places the saddo on the shoulder of the bride.

DENNEM
On the Wedding day, dowry in kind that is given to the bride, is delivered to the groom's house. After the wedding reception is over, the articles are brought into the matov, and after verifying that all the items asked for have been brought, they are taken into the house.

XIM
After the reception is over, the relatives and guests who have remained until the end, go to the junction of the road and draw an imaginary line called xim, a boundary line. The bride's relatives and guests stand on one side of the line, while the groom's people stand on the other side of the line. A prayer is offered and wishes expressed for the happiness and prosperity of married couple.
Later, one or two relatives from the bride's side cross the xim to formally invite the couple to the bride's place which in konkani is called apovnemn (invitation) for the return of the couple on the next day for what is known in Portuguese as the torna-boda.
After the wedding reception, there is a festive lunch or dinner known as the mezi. The bride's parents then hand over the bride to the parents and other relatives of the groom saying, "aichean tumchi zababdari" (henceforth she is your responsibility). She is then blessed and given gifts by her family members. In the same way the groom is blessed at the bride's place. That very evening, or on the next day, the couple, as per tradition, had to have five meals at the bride's house.
After this, they would return home with a vojem, which in the days gone by consisted of neureos, having a filling of coconut and jaggery, which were to be distributed to the neighbours and relatives. Lately the vojem consists of bols (made of wheat flower, coconut and jaggery) and bananas.
Before liquor is served to all those present, a chalice filled with the different vojem is given to the bride. The main one being the fullache vojem given on the occasion when the dennem is handed over. It consists of seven or eight baticas and 1000 bols. The baticas are dressed with abolim flowers and garlands made from the abolim flowers are also given. The matov is dismantled after the couple returns to the groom's home. These are customs and traditions that were and are observed from Goa.


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