Hi both Mervyns n Gabe ! Sukari guru is the right translation in Swahili for unrefined sugar and thanks for the clarification on jaggery. However, Mervyn Lobo, your research on King Fish was great as Mfalme Samaki is the literal translation of King Fish; mfalme being the Swahili word for King. It reminds me of the Microsft lingo in Swahili and konkani- nearly all literal translations.
As for your buddy whose name began with the N word, if he was lucky to have his apartment (flats) or house, he would not have to make the trip to Kigamboni - by the ferry; as all the local hawkers who used to deal with goans would cater entirely to his needs; and he would feel greatly at home with yells of "nishte" and "masodi" when-ever when they came over. Whilst making my daily rounds after a journalistic assignment , I would pass by and sometimes give a ride to these elderly goan ladies who would normallly walk all the way home after getting some good "catches". Since they only knew Konkani and Swahili, and my konkani was very "broken" , I had to confine myself to the basics. And after they got home, they would call their kids at work who in turn would call me to thank me for giving their mothers a ride. Was'nt that fantastic But unless, I took may parents to Kigambon, I would really be going for the madafu- Swahili for tender coconuts. One bright day, I did not have to pay as a rich Indian guy treated everybody - numbering about 50. He must have had a "swell" business day. I miss the madafus very much as they are so expensive in the New York/New Jersey area- $4.00 a piece and most of the time- plain coconut water. I believe, they are imported from Puerto Rico and the Carribean. Cheers. Tony Barros. New Jersey, USA