Antonio, I am pleased that my question "could you clarify where in the caste hierarchy you belong?" triggered to share your family thesis on migratory culture of beautiful and courageous girls, from yours and surrounding villages to the shores of Bardez and Salcette, by crossing a risky river and dacoit-infested forests. These young and beautiful girls are to be commended for their heroic decisions to cross the river and find young and handsome men.
Which are the unlucky girls you feel sorry for? Those who stayed back and married lesser mortals or the ones who were unable to find new converts? It's an interesting piece from your family treasure with a smidgen of vivid sexual practices in your vicinity. However, after reading your piece several times, I am unable to pinpoint your caste, which you intentionally or unintentionally seem to elude. If possible, I like to read the full version of the story, as your brief did not throw light on your caste lineage. Avelino Bastora/Kuwait ______ Antonio Menezes wrote: Mr. Avelino D'Souza of Bastora/kuwait asks me: could you clarify where on the caste hierarchy you belong? I must say it is a very good question. However , therre is no clear cut answer but I shall try , as briefly as possible, to tell a story that has been with our families for the last two and half centuries. we do believe it for it concerns our family members. Some of these nubile girls attract the attention of priests who entice them into concubinage. I don't blame the priests, for it happens all the time and everywhere. The children of these illicit unions , however, have some problems . To which caste do they belong to ? not the upper caste, of course. Hence there is resentment . If they continue living on the outskirts of the temple, they are considered to be outcasts. So what do they do ? Let me state, at this stage, that it was a very small number of children of such illicit unions who migrated across the river and settled down in the first villages they came across in Bardez/Salcete area and became catholics. The young men got married and claimed 'high' status no matter in which caste they got married into, but some young women who did likewise,were, however, not so lucky. Antonio
