Every year, when the month of September arrives, we are reminded of the Monti Fest. This festival is also called the Family Feast by Christians. While celebrating the feast of Mother Mary’s birth, we offer flowers and fruits in respect and then, as a family, we gather around to prepare and share a meal in a very traditional way. This meal becomes a moment of unity, where we eat together in love, motivating us to come closer as a family. The different traditional dishes we prepare carry a special message. It doesn’t matter how many different dishes we make or how rich the meal is; what matters most is how we live our lives as a family after the feast.
What do the dishes represent?
During the Monti Fest, some avoid meat and fish, preferring to prepare a pure vegetarian meal. However, each dish has a symbolic meaning.
1. Alu Dento (Red Amaranth with Bamboo Shoots)
2. Kaarate (Bitter Gourd)
3. Bhendi (Lady’s Finger)
4. Gosale (Ridge Gourd)
5. Karambo (Mixed Vegetable Salad)
6. Sango (Drumstick)
7. Vorn (Sweet Dish)
These dishes have traditionally been passed down to us, each carrying its own significance.
1. What does Alu Dento signify? The nature of Amaranth is prickly, and Bamboo Shoots are hard. Similarly, some members of our family have these characteristics. When situations arise that provoke anger or irritation, we refrain from reacting impulsively. Instead, like the Bamboo Shoots, we soften and try to bring harmony to the family.
2. Why Bitter Gourd? Normally, Bitter Gourd is not a favorite due to its bitterness. However, it is extremely beneficial to health. Similarly, there are family members who have bitter characteristics. Even though they may criticize or oppose us, they often do so with good intentions, hoping for our well-being. During such times, Bitter Gourd teaches us to work on improving ourselves and fostering love within the family.
3. What does Lady’s Finger symbolize? This dish, though it grows abundantly, is often used during the Monti Fest. Lady’s Finger might seem insignificant, but it offers substantial nourishment. Like this vegetable, some members of our family might appear small or insignificant, but they bring value to the family in their own unique ways. Lady’s Finger encourages us to bond and build a strong family unit.
4. What lesson does Ridge Gourd offer? When fresh, Ridge Gourd is tasty, but when it ages, it becomes tough. Similarly, old habits can be difficult to change, but like the Ridge Gourd seeds, which can be bitter, these habits need to be corrected. This dish reminds us to respect elders, instill good values in children, and correct bad habits early on.
5. Why is Karambo (Mixed Vegetable Salad) so important? In the Monti Fest meal, Karambo adds freshness and color. It includes cucumber, tomatoes, chili, etc., and though it may seem like a simple salad, it refreshes the body. Similarly, in a family, during challenging times, we must keep our cool and handle issues with love and patience, just as Karambo refreshes us during a meal.
6. What does Drumstick represent? Drumsticks, though long and slim, are tricky to cook as they can break easily. However, when properly cooked, they add a unique flavor to the meal. Similarly, in families, no matter how much wealth or status we may have, only by making sacrifices and supporting each other can we achieve true harmony, as Drumsticks symbolize.
7. What is the significance of Vorn (Sweet Dish)? Vorn is a favorite among all, from children to the elderly, because it is sweet. However, sweetness alone can never bring peace; sweetness shared with love and sacrifice can. This dish teaches us that to strengthen family bonds, we must often make sacrifices and support each other with love, as Vorn does.
So, the dishes we prepare not only nourish us but also impart life lessons that help make the Monti Fest a meaningful family celebration of love and unity.
Happy Monti Fest to all of you!