Hi All,
This post is on Roce Function which is pre-marriage function in Christian Community . I am writing this post to avoid any repetitive explanation for Roce function as I have experienced :D :D . I had to attend a Roce and Marriage function of my cousin brother, apart of my planing for the function, I was more worried about the question on the Roce function asked by friends and colleagues. Hope this blog will be helpful.
Roce is a pre-wedding ceremony. It will be a day ahead or couple of day ahead of wedding day . Both Bride and Groom will have this ceremony in their respective house (most likely). Now a days, due to compactness in the residence area , the function is also done in hall or open ground. Roce function will having oil and coconut milk applied over Groom and Bride. Roce function also signifies the love of Parents and close family members towards Bride/Groom .
On the day of the Roce, the families of the Groom/Bride offer a mass to the departed souls of their respective families, to respect the departed souls and their contribution for the family.
Arrangements : Neighbours/Relatives would come home for the help . Gentlemen will help to put up tents (Matav) and Ladies will help in Kitchen .
The guests who come for the function are warmly welcomed by the hosts "Yezman" and "Yezmani| at the main entrance of Matav greeting with 'paan-pod udak ailem' (meaning - 'receive this plate of Areca nut , betal leaves , etc., and a pot of water'). The guest acknowledge the welcome with reply : 'Dev Borem Korun, yezmanya" (May God bless you) and take the paan-pod .
The Groom is accompanied by the best man (Dhedo) and similarly the Bride will be accompanied by bridesmaid. The best man and bridesmaid are younger brothers/sisters , in case of no brothers/sisters, young cousins can accompany .
Roce function will start with "Vojem", here the Society (Wado people and Relatives) will bring the things for Roce dinner like Goat, Pig, Vegetables and all . This was followed, that is Vojem was cooked and served for dinner but nowadays this custom is seldom .
Roce function will have anointing of oil and application of pure coconut milk on Bride and Groom . The bath after the roce symbolized his/her last bath that the bride or the groom will be taking in their bachelorhood/spinsterhood . Roce function will be usually held in the evening.
First the Father and Mother (Yezman and Yezmani), will dip thumb in the oil and make a sign of the cross on the forehead of Groom, followed by each of the dhedo sitting beside him. These actions will be commenced with the singing of 'VOVIYOS' . Voiyos are expressed with sentiments and gave vent to the feelings of the people about the marriage partners and their families , primarily invoking blessing of God . Voviyos are songs sung by women mainly . The procedure is that one of the women will sing 'vove' and then rest will repeat the vove. It will be fun to listen :D.
The Yezman/Yezmani will dip and take the oil in the spoon and drops oil in each of his ears and then apply the oil on his head and rubs oil into his hair. After this, they scoop roce from the bowl and pours roce on his face, hands and even legs and rub it gently. This culture will be done to the dhedos as well. This will be continued by close relatives and later by guests present.After the roce ceremony, the best man take the Groom by hand and lead to the bathing place.
After all the Prayers, the stage is replaced by Big Dance floor, DJ/Country Band and Open bar.
During old days, Food was offered in Banana leaves with Rice, mutton curry cooked with coconut milk. Today's scenario is no where near to the old ceremony . Now, there will be two counters with smartly dressed waiters serving PCM (Pork,Chicken and Mutton) .
As the trend is changing in few families :D , now along with Oil and Coconut milk (Culture) we have Eggs, Rotten tomatoes, Chilled milk, curd and beer which will be applied on Bride and Groom . This fancy is entertained by only few. Hope at-least Oil and Coconut milk will be followed till the end :) . Note: As per culture only Oil and Coconut milk has to be applied .
According to the Tradition, the couple is not allowed to sit together and even meet each other after the Roce. They are supposed to meet only at the nuptials.
Once the groom and best man have returned, a short prayer is said for the grrom , his family, and for the food which is to be served etc., and then the dinner is served .
To conclude the ceremony, usually the traditional Latin song 'Laudate' is sung.
Acknowledgement :
Please comment , if any thing I have missed or added wrong content as per culture of Roce .
Since, I have attended few Roce ceremony, I will not have all the knowledge of Roce followed from older days. Please enlighten me on this, if any .
Thanks for Reading :) .
Reference :
This post is on Roce Function which is pre-marriage function in Christian Community . I am writing this post to avoid any repetitive explanation for Roce function as I have experienced :D :D . I had to attend a Roce and Marriage function of my cousin brother, apart of my planing for the function, I was more worried about the question on the Roce function asked by friends and colleagues. Hope this blog will be helpful.
Roce is a pre-wedding ceremony. It will be a day ahead or couple of day ahead of wedding day . Both Bride and Groom will have this ceremony in their respective house (most likely). Now a days, due to compactness in the residence area , the function is also done in hall or open ground. Roce function will having oil and coconut milk applied over Groom and Bride. Roce function also signifies the love of Parents and close family members towards Bride/Groom .
On the day of the Roce, the families of the Groom/Bride offer a mass to the departed souls of their respective families, to respect the departed souls and their contribution for the family.
Arrangements : Neighbours/Relatives would come home for the help . Gentlemen will help to put up tents (Matav) and Ladies will help in Kitchen .
The guests who come for the function are warmly welcomed by the hosts "Yezman" and "Yezmani| at the main entrance of Matav greeting with 'paan-pod udak ailem' (meaning - 'receive this plate of Areca nut , betal leaves , etc., and a pot of water'). The guest acknowledge the welcome with reply : 'Dev Borem Korun, yezmanya" (May God bless you) and take the paan-pod .
The Groom is accompanied by the best man (Dhedo) and similarly the Bride will be accompanied by bridesmaid. The best man and bridesmaid are younger brothers/sisters , in case of no brothers/sisters, young cousins can accompany .
Roce function will start with "Vojem", here the Society (Wado people and Relatives) will bring the things for Roce dinner like Goat, Pig, Vegetables and all . This was followed, that is Vojem was cooked and served for dinner but nowadays this custom is seldom .
 |
| Oil and Coconut Milk |
Roce function will have anointing of oil and application of pure coconut milk on Bride and Groom . The bath after the roce symbolized his/her last bath that the bride or the groom will be taking in their bachelorhood/spinsterhood . Roce function will be usually held in the evening.
 |
| Yezmani appling Roce on Groom |
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| Coconut milk on Roce Ceremony |
After all the Prayers, the stage is replaced by Big Dance floor, DJ/Country Band and Open bar.
During old days, Food was offered in Banana leaves with Rice, mutton curry cooked with coconut milk. Today's scenario is no where near to the old ceremony . Now, there will be two counters with smartly dressed waiters serving PCM (Pork,Chicken and Mutton) .
As the trend is changing in few families :D , now along with Oil and Coconut milk (Culture) we have Eggs, Rotten tomatoes, Chilled milk, curd and beer which will be applied on Bride and Groom . This fancy is entertained by only few. Hope at-least Oil and Coconut milk will be followed till the end :) . Note: As per culture only Oil and Coconut milk has to be applied .
According to the Tradition, the couple is not allowed to sit together and even meet each other after the Roce. They are supposed to meet only at the nuptials.
Once the groom and best man have returned, a short prayer is said for the grrom , his family, and for the food which is to be served etc., and then the dinner is served .
To conclude the ceremony, usually the traditional Latin song 'Laudate' is sung.
Acknowledgement :
Please comment , if any thing I have missed or added wrong content as per culture of Roce .
Since, I have attended few Roce ceremony, I will not have all the knowledge of Roce followed from older days. Please enlighten me on this, if any .
Thanks for Reading :) .
Reference :
http://www.daijiworld.com/chan/exclusive_arch.asp?ex_id=1123
http://www.mangalorewedding.com/roce.php
