Hi Cornel, Thanks for your last post on this thread. I said, and you reteriorated, that I am 'ek supurlo Goenkar' earnestly trying to study and understand Goan culture and behavior. From your post, it looks like I have been making the grave human error of saying to the English Emperor: Your Majesty! You are not wearing any clothes!
or in amchi bhas: Boro Nangu-Pangu dista, Saiba!:=)) The good part though, the wording about Goan cultural practices was more accurate and made more sense in your last post than what you have been writing previously. So there is hope.:=)) Should I have added (to the English Emperor) the Great Masai Chief? :=)) Your English is impeccable. But perhaps because you did not live in India, you may not realize what I think is your error in writing. Aniek time Saiba kakut kor - Hope you got that. :=)) Hindu refers to religion. Indian refers to a society or a people. Catholic belief refers to religion. Catholic Church refers to an institution. catholic or Catholics- Ah! now that can be anything.:=)) :=)) Conceit- an exaggerated opinion of one's self, one's merit, etc (Oxford dict.) I would not put Mario and you in the same level on the understanding of society and behavior. To someone in the 21st century who says in a serious dialogue, that religion or cultural practices do not matter, is one who does not know his North Pole from his South Pole - If you know what I mean.:=)) This especially applies to someone who lives in America. I hope he at least has an American sense of humor. I am sure Cornel you know, but for the benefit of our young Goan readers: Goan Catholics and Goan Hindus have the same culture but different religion. Goan Catholics and Irish Catholics have the same religion but different cultures. That is because in the second scenario, these two societies have a different history, geography, diet, way of life, values, heritage, rituals at milestone in life etc. etc. This is what makes CULTURE; and not Mario's ignorant definition / understanding of one snippet of society. That is why it is also difficult to fathom some lusophile Goans calling themselves ethnic Portuguese (yes citizens or nationality). The similar applies to Goans in UK who may call themselves English. I would like your opinion Cornel on the last statement. Please keep it intellectual and if necessary technical. I am sure all aspects of Goan Culture in the prior paragraph is too confusing for Mario and perhaps others (no names) in the Goan Diaspora to put together. This is especially so without any formal comprehensive reading. Do not feel bad, because I was like that till I undertook a systematic study and analysis a few years ago. I learnt much, even though I did my schooling in Goa. Hence, I decided to put the information in a comprehensive book-form. There are a few who continue to totally rely on the Xamai and Sasumai ... and they think they know it all ... but... Regards, Gilbert
