| “O Sistema das Castas” by A. B. de Bragança Pereira. This monograph is a bit old, but a classic in the field. Panduronga Pissurlencar’s essay “O Elemento Hindu da Casta Chardo’” is also informative and interesting. John M. de Figueiredo Sent from my iPhone From maps to caste... and that favourite debate of all-time my-colonisers-were-better-than-your-colonisers. Or, alternatively, the-rest-of-the-world-were-colonials-(except-us). Anyway, the Portuguese has gone, but caste remains (among the Goan Catholic). Who's forcing us to stay biased and bigoted now, assuming someone did so in the past? While not placing the blame elsewhere, I read somewhere (can't recall now) that the Portuguese saw a parallel with South Asian castes and their own feudal system of the times. We seem to juxtapose our 21st century of make-believe equality on the 16th, forgetting that in those times hierarchies were seen as the norm. (As if they are not now, though in more subtle ways.) Let me concede that the Goan Catholic gets berated for caste more than most, even though the actual prevalence within the community might be of lesser intensity. Would you agree? There are no theological justifications for it. Today, class and education (especially money) often counts for more. Politics has empowered larger-sized communities, and the old elite is still beaten for their arrogance of the yesteryear. In social interactions (sometimes) and the marriage market (mostly) it remains quite strong though, and many swear by what others might call "endogamy" In a word: it's complicated! FN
PS: Very few studies on caste. Adelyn D'Costa is one, done decades ago; Cyril Fernandes' Justice at the Grassroots is a mix between a tribute to a social activist and a general profile of the .Gawada community. Anita Haladi's essay on "development" afflicting the aboriginal communities of Goa in Norman Dantas' OIP book struck one as insightful. Please point to others.... Some of the essays seem more an exercise of self-glorification of one's own caste, rather than anything else.
On Tuesday 15 October 2024 at 18:37:38 UTC+5:30 jfvpassos wrote:
Good morning .
Here, in Portugal, is good morning. I follow debates
But I seldom interfere. The Portuguese were not worse, nor better, than any other people, in similar circumstances. Here we are, 21st century, and the world watches as Israel carries on a genocide in Gaza, and Putin decided to invade Ucraine and declare it is. Power and politics are immoral. Shame on all of us that centuries go by and we do not learn any better than killing and abusing other peoples.
Joana
Hi Sonia, Good question. The Portuguese did not abolish the caste system directly. They attempted to abolish it indirectly by encouraging conversions to Christianity and introducing the belief that the caste system was incompatible with Christianity and the vision (ideal) of a more equalitarian society. They succeeded only in part especially in areas other than endogamy. Interestingly the caste system among Goan Christians turned out to be more resilient among the Catholic clergy. It appears that eventually the Portuguese resigned to the survival of the caste system among Goan Christians. In many ways, this ideal of an equalitarian society brought opportunities to many Goan Hindus converted to Christianity that were previously unavailable. Caste among Goan Christians became more like social class. I discussed this in some detail in some of my publications. John Sent from my iPhone Dr. Figueiredo,
I am surprised or I may be wrong, when did the Portuguese abolish the caste system. I thought it was encouraged by the Portuguese. Very confused Sonia do Rosario Gomes
Yes, they abolished sati to replace it with the Inquisition, racism, torturing police PIDE/DGS,
prisons without trial and Goans imprisoned in Cape Verde and Portugal, etc.
Salazar said: we are in the colonies to bring civilization. And what was civilization for him?
Extremely poor Portugal, racism, torturing police PIDE/DGS, prisons without trial and Goans imprisoned in Cape Verde.
Alberto
Data: Fri, 11 Oct 2024 15:27:21 -0400
Assunto: Re: [GRN] Re: Dutch map ‘stolen from the Portuguese’
They did not “imitate the savages” in everything, Albert. They abolished the “sati” (“suttee”).
JM de F
Sent from my iPhone
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