--- Cornel DaCosta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hi Selma > You are absolutely spot on regarding Catholic Goan > traditional derision of > many a person's occupation---particularly pertaining > to the examples you > provided. > ------------------------------ Dear Cornel,
Oddly enough my humourous take on the stratification and segmentation of Goan society, prompted many Goanet readers to write to me and acknowledge that while they had a good laugh, it was also spot on the money. Whether we like to admit it or not, Goan society is unnecessarily divided along several barriers. I hasten to add here, that almost all societies are segmented mostly along economic lines but this is compounded in Goa, when one is further fragmented with a number of cultural and social barriers. In this regard, the Arabs are rather remarkable. Islam was one of the earlier religions based on the concept of equality. Their mosques are a testimony to this. They don't have any seating and a prince can likely end up praying next to a pauper. The boss will think nothing of breaking fast with the office-boy, during Ramadan even sharing the same plate. Islam also introduced the concept of The Majlis. A place where the common man could address his queries with the tribal leader or sheikh (this concept still exists in the Sheikdoms of the Gulf). I have no doubt, that in time Goa will become more of a melting pot, more tolerant of ethnic, social and cultural difference. But that day has not come yet. selma ____________________________________________________________________________________ Bored stiff? Loosen up... Download and play hundreds of games for free on Yahoo! Games. http://games.yahoo.com/games/front
