Mrs. Saldanha described the heated arguments within her family; and the endless
debates (or to that effect) they have with their friends about preserving Goan
identity / culture. These controversies are likely frequent perennial
experiences of other goanetters as reported by many.
My comments are:
1. Are we not maintaining the Goan identity with the never-ending debates?:=))
2. Prior generations of Goans even with (or because of) their limited
education, knew their identity well and practiced it on a daily basis without
arguments.
3. Is one having a debate on preservation of culture? Or are we merely
displaying the Goan trait of pre-judgment and intransigent tribalism?
4. The naysayers to preservation of culture often do so with the least bit of
guilt or responsibility - but with some pride snagged by some unintended
phraseology in their provocative writings. They display their intellectual
snobbery which may have crept into their liberalism. Their myths (facts that
are ain't so) are an impediment to reform because they refuse to be informed of
the facts. Some naysayers to preservation of culture accuse the opposition of
xenophobia (hatred of foreigners or people of other castes).
5. Then some specifically go on to reiterate they 'really love Goans' with a
'true Goan identity' .... which is superior to others (of whom they know little
about), which in itself is intriguing.
Diaspora Goans should replace their arguments on their identity with learning
more about it (their identity). This includes knowing our history, geography,
and recitation of the various cultural practices undertaken at different
milestones in life. This would reinforce the knowledge of the adults and be a
learning tool for the next generation. For rest of the traditions, the men
should learn from the wives / mothers who, as in most societies, are entrusted
to pass on the traditions and practices from one generation to the next. The
ladies are more likely to accept and build-on practical aspects of social
practices compared to the aum-soglem-zano male counterparts.:-)) A detailed
knowledge of our traditions will provide true ethnic pride ... and more
importantly ... the ability to appreciate the traditions of other social and
ethnic groups.
'Xapotam' is a natural Goan trait. Yet, what one sees in today's endless
debates, on history, religion, caste, politics, etc, is misguided chauvinism
that is not beneficial to Goans on the whole and the participants in
particular. The rhetoric, at levels and intensity not commonly seen, together
with the attack and counter-attack, is an un-Goan behavior. So the 'Goenchim
xapotam' we see today can no longer be blunted with "TUM KITEM MHUNTAI IRMAO?"
That is when one has to admit (or give up) that the individual has lost the
Goan culture.
Regards, GL
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