FESTIVALS, CELEBRATIONS AND SUNTUOSITY:

THE SOLEMN BAPTISMS IN GOA AS MECHANISMS FOR THE CONVERSION OF GENTLE (16th CENTURY)

Abstract

This work aims to reflect on an aspect of religiosity in Goa, the sumptuous baptism ceremonies, which we call solemn baptisms. Conquered by the Portuguese in 1510, Goa became the administrative and religious seat of the State of India. Our sources are documents from the 16th century, contained in volumes I, II, III and IV of Documenta Indica, organized by Joseph Wicki. A survey was carried out regarding these solemn baptisms in the aforementioned documentation, which was analyzed based on the reflections of Cavalcanti (2013) and Souza (2013) to think about the phenomenon of religious festivals, and on an extensive relevant historiography on the State of India in the 16th century. We understand that the sumptuousness of solemn baptisms pointed to the benefits of becoming a Christian in the State of India. Baptisms of leading figures in local societies were lavished with sumptuousness and festivities in order to demonstrate Christian power and honors for converts. Thus, solemn baptisms were mechanisms used to encourage conversions among local populations.