On Tue, 11/25/14, V M wrote: Dear Ben + Augusto et al, It is simply a fact that "Goan contribution" to the making of modern Kenya - including decolonization - is far disproportionate to community numbers. Every Goan was not an anti-colonial rebel, most Goans were not anti-colonial rebels, but that's no reason to minimize the history of those who were. Here it is useful to recall that decolonization in Kenya did not happen with a whimper (as in Goa) or via a spirited nationwide movement galvanized by world attention (as in much of the rest of India). Instead it took place in the context of a vicious, overtly genocidal war against the Kikuyus. -------------------------------------------------------------------
VM, There were many Kenya's. If you interview six Kenyan or ex-Kenyan Goans today, you will still get half a dozen different views on Kenya. This is why I always enjoy reading views/memoirs/recollections. 50 years ago, the world had bought the view that the Mau Mau were savages/terrorist and till this very day, people agree with that view. Others, figured out a long time ago that the Mau Mau were fighting to get rid of the colonizers. Everyone in Kenya in those years prior to independence, had to take a position. This was when some Goans excelled. After independence the choice was to stay put or go elsewhere. Those who stayed in Kenya, did a great job as Kenyans. Those who left, did well where ever they settled. I will admit though that Goans in Kenya played a much bigger role in the struggle for independence than their counterparts in Tanzania did. Tanzania had a few Goan MP's but their influence/contributions was nowhere close to those made by Goans in Kenya. I don't want to stray far from the topic above but the Goans who were politicized in E. Africa, were also in close contact with those in Mozambique. This caused a lot of problems for the Portuguese consulates in E. Africa, most which were run by Goans. Mervyn
