The caste system was so embedded in Goan society in the olden days that it was almost impossible for two lovers to join hands in holy matrimony, especially if one of them belonged to lower caste strata. Yester-year tiatrists like the late Minguel Rod and Aleixinho de Candolim tried their best to educate and change the mindset of the Goan public through their songs and tiatros; they did succeed to a great extent.
Let us quickly and briefly have a look at Goa's past records - arrival of the first tribe in Goa and how Christians inherited the caste system. The earliest known inhabitants of Goa were the people of Mhar tribe. Around 4000 BC, a pastoral tribe migrated to Goa who had the skills needed to tame animals. This is perhaps the reason why so many names by which Goa has been known contains the term, Go (cow). In the Puranas and certain inscriptions, the name of the place appears as Gove, Govapuri, and Gomant. In ancient Indian texts, in Sanskrit, Goa is also known as Gopakapuri or Gopakapattana. This only confirms the idea that Goa was a very prosperous State, since cattle was the criterion of wealth. Later, other tribes like the Asuras, Kol, Mundaris and Kharwas came and settled in Goa. This was around 3000 BC. 600 years later, the first batch of Aryan set their feet on the grounds of Goa followed by Sumerians who came after another 400 years. The Sumerians were a part of well-developed civilization and hence brought about numerous significant changes in the culture, lifestyle and thought process of the people. The Goan society consists mainly of Hindus and Christians. The various rituals and rites performed by both communities show many similarities. A remarkable feature of the bond between the two communities is the absence of bitterness from the past. Goan Catholics are mostly local converts from various Hindu castes. Since they were generally converted en masse, they virtually transported the entire Hindu caste structure into their adopted religion. They preferred to preserve their core culture and maintained the tradition of the 'varna' system. Over time, both Hindus and Christians lived their lives, following their respective religions peacefully. However, Portuguese influence radically changed the dress attire, with Christian males in particular adopting the European dress - trousers, shirts, western cap and at times knickers and shoes. Also, the working class women started wearing the sari; locally known as lugott or nugat (the Kunnbis still call it nugat). The concern with Hindu ways shows the Goan Christians' nostalgia for a lost past. After all, it is often said that scratch a Goan Christian and you will find a Hindu below. Over the years, especially post-liberation, education has played a vital role in eradicating the caste system in Goa, but there are still a few out there who belong to the old proverbial saying: "Sumb lasta punn entto urta" (Rope burns but the twist remains). Here are the lyrics of an old "Zaati" (Caste)-related song taken from WILMIX Konkani-Originals audio cassette in which the singer, Sharon, regrets being born in a low caste family but her fiancé-singer, Michael, does not believe in the caste system and is prepared to accept her as life partner. Both singers request the public to destroy the gates and do away with the caste system: "ZAATI" - Sung by Michael and Sharon Composed by: Wilmix Wilson Mazarello Legend: Michael = M; Sharon = S I M: Itkem dukhest pollovn tuka Linda sintir hanv Sang mhaka koslem bhogta zait tuka fugasanv S: Kitem sangom Alfred, khobor hi gazta sogllo ganv Lok mhaka xinddtat zolman thavn unnem zaatin mhunn hanv Chorus M: Unnem zaatin zalear kitem zalem tor Dev zaati vollkonam munisuch tacho autor S: Dusman uprasla addkoll ghalunk amchea bhitor Tea dusmananchem aikonk zait hanv koslo fator II S: Ganvcho lok mhunnttat tumchea gharan sobchinam mhunn hanv Unnem zaatin zolmonk mhozo koslo guneanv Maim tuji mhunntta khuim, hem kedinch ghoddonk dinvchinam mhunn hanv M: Maim kazar zanvchinam, kazar baie zatolom to hanv Chorus M: Mojem kaim ek aikonk nam, aplench suru kelem Maink hi khobor konnem sanglea, tenvuim mandun ghetlem Maim moji ulonvchinam ulovp oslem chintop naslelem Uloit zalear pasun amchem kazar zatelem III S: Guneanv bhogos Alfred, oxem mhunnot mhunn chintunk nam M: Sudhir, Chadd'ddi, Render, Bamonn Devan rochunk nam Toxech he amche ganv, Devan separar korunk nam Oxem ghoddonk him munxeachinch pixeaponnam Chorus S&M: Aichean soglleank bori vatt ami dakoviea Itlean zaatinche darvontte moddumiea Sogott lokachea gineanar uzvadd haddumiea Igorz-Mathechea kaidea pormonnem cholomiea. S&M: Aichean soglleank bori vatt ami dakoviea Itlean zaatinche darvontte moddumiea Sogott lokachea gineanar uzvadd haddumiea Igorz-Mathechea kaidea pormonnem cholomiea.
From Dom's antique shelf!
Moi-mogan, Domnic Fernandes, author of "Domnic's Goa - A nostalgic romp through a bygone era" Anjuna/Dhahran, KSA Tel: (966 3) 877-2744; Home: (966 3) 876-2676; Mobile: (966 5) 0281-9101
