'What exactly does "goenchimanna" mean?'
-----------------
Dear Candice,
How coincidental that you ask this question on the eve of Maundy Thursday which, in the Christian calender, is the day the newspapers are full of advertisements by bakeries for Hot Cross Buns.
'Manna' as we all know is from the Bible. The Israelites were hungry on their flight to Egypt. It was a non-stop no-frills charter flight. What can you expect from Jews? So many centuries later, the Israelis still come to Anjuna the same way. Anyway they prayed to God and he showered upon them insta-vitamin tablets that they consumed. He then showered upon them tablets with rules written on them, which they accepted but ignored. Finally he showered upon them 'kadyo-bodyo' and 'manna'. 'Kadyo-bodyo' are made from pure sugar and cause diabetes, cavities, high blood pressure and tongue discoloration. 'Manna' is slices of the tapioca root deep fried. It is tasteless. If you really want to taste friend root, eat potato chips or try 'capam' that are available with roadside 'boje' sellers. Keep in mind 'boje' or 'bhoje' or 'bhojin' is Goan. 'Bhajias' are non-Goan and consists of only onions in a batter - which also is a root.
Coming to your question....
Goenchin is a Chinese restaurant in Panjim. It is owned by the Kenis. The same family that owns Hotel Mandovi, A Pasteleria, Keni's Hotel, Keni's Petrol Pump and Keni Rogers. In 1943 when Hotel Mandovi was being built the architect was an American Jew named Ismail Knofler from a town named Havin in Texas. Now this Ismail was known to be quite a character. "You can call me Ismail" he used to roar after drinking at a local bar named 'Mitzvah'. He was also an excellent cook.
After Hotel Mandovi was built Ismail was given charge of the restaurant. He introduced a dish named 'Manna from Havin' which was a hot spicy dish with tapioca as the base (according to local rumours Eric Clapton attempted this dish and was inspired to tears in Havin). All other dishes at the restaurant were quite acceptable but not this particular dish. One day the Kenis called for a meeting with Ismail. "Ismail" said Gajja Keni, the head of the family, "we would like you to build us a Chinese Restaurant". "Hokay!" said Ismail.
So Goenchin was built and the Ismail tried fobbing off his 'Manna from Havin" dish on unsuspecting customers. Slowly the news spread and everyone knew that it was a dish best avoided. They started calling it 'Goenchimanna" in hushed whispers, specially when children were around. That's how the phrase 'goenchimanna' came into existence. It is a word used to discretely say something is distasteful. Eg. "Lawrence goes on and on about his goenchimanna book that has more reviewers than buyers!"
Since then 'manna' has been celebrated in song, dance and movies. Just recently there was a a Sanjay Dutt starrer named "Manna Bhai MBBS". We also have the Hollywood comedy 'Throw Manna from the Train". There is a a popular TV serial named "Manna ya na manna". Our very own Remo composed a hit song "O Meri Manna".
Cdez - a nice week! We zen iced cake!
Which are both anagrams for "Candice Ezekwe"
Cheers!
Cecil ========
##########################################################################
# 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 #
##########################################################################
