Kuwait: Abbasiya Families celebrate Harvest Festival

By John V Tauro
Bellevision Media Network

Kuwait, 14 Sep 2012: Abbasiya families of the Konkani Community in Kuwait celebrated Traditional Harvest Festival (Monthi Fest) on 14th September 2012 at the Integrated Indian School Auditorium. The event started with Konkani mass at 6pm followed by entertainment program and fellowship dinner. Fr.Anthony Lopez was the main celebrant of the mass.

 

Exactly seven years ago, this Konkani community started with 10 families gathering together in a residential house in Abbasiya to celebrate Monthi Fest, but today it has grown to 1000 plus families coming together every year to celebrate in a traditional manner, not having to miss the feeling of being in their homeland and to also educate their children of the festivities back home in Mangalore. It is the only time of the year that all families meet in one place, for Monthi Fest. This festivity is much awaited every year.

 

 

The festival is celebrated in a unique manner by Abbasiya families, making it the only community in Kuwait to have traditional Mangalore style dishes, programs etc. On this occasion specially imported variety of vegetables, sugar cane and banana leaves are procured from Mangalore.

 

Special mass with children’s choir, with the convenience of religion and social needs is met in one place. 100-150 Children participate in the procession to bring the flowers and statue of Mary at the Altar.

 

Many donors and well-wishers come forward to contribute for this purpose and day. 7 varieties of Mangalorean dishes was prepared and served on banana leaf.

 

Mr. Hubert D’silva delivered the vote of thanks.