Marching in Faith: The St. Sebastian Procession or Nomenar

Born in a Goan Roman Catholic family, I've always witnessed a number of catholic traditions and festivities which add richness to the Goan culture. For instance, after the most exciting season of Christmas ends and the new year commences, one witnesses the preparations for the procession of St. Sebastian in many of the coastal villages of Goa. Hailing from the village of Assolna, I've witnessed the Nomenar since the dawn of my memory. St. Sebastian who was a Roman soldier, was also an early Christian saint and martyr. He was killed by arrows during the persecution of Christians by the Roman emperor Diocletian. He is often depicted tied to a tree or post and shot with arrows. According to the Catholic Church Calendar, the feast of St. Sebastian is celebrated on 20th January every year. The procession is held a few days before and on the feast day. Being a community event, different villages have their own unique ways of celebration of the feast and the proc...