Regarding Gilbert's request for opinions...... I wholeheartedly believe that Catholic religious art in Goa was strongly influenced by Hinduism. After all, the artists/artisans who created this art in our churches were either Hindus or converted Hindus. Absolutely nothing wrong with that IMHO. Christ and his apostles and disciples were born in Asia (Middle East), but looking at the complexion on Catholic/Christian art in churches, one would think that they all came from Northern Europe. The Europeans probably tailored the images to appeal to the people that they were trying to convert. For historical accuracy, renderings of Christ and his disciples should have darker or olive complexioned skins.
I have seen pictures and statues of Christ and his disciples with negroid features, both in Africa and in the predominantly black areas of the United States. Again, nothing wrong with that IMHO ! Small wonder that Christ was born at the confluence of the then major continents. In Goa, not only is religious art influenced by Hinduism, but a lot of our religious traditions, including novenas and processions and roadside shrines. The priests who converted the ancestors of Catholics in Goa, were probably very practical people who realized that in order to appeal to the converts, they had to incorporate some of their traditional practices in the new religious observations. Again, nothing wrong with that IMHO ! ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
