It smacks of indecency to talk of castes in this day and age, but casteism
having been a reality then, and prhaps even now to a lesser extent, let me join
in on the subject being discussed on the net.
According to me, Bhamons, whether Hindu or Christian, were (are) generally
supposed to be highly cultured, wealthy (holding chunks of bounteous lands) and
snobbish towards their tenants, as well as toward all social groups below
their rank. Some, however, did seek but not find much luck with the Portuguese,
therefore were (are) less rich and more condescending.
This side of Goa, in Margao, it was said that a hidden trait in their character
came out too often in the open and exposed them as being stingy and cunning. In
other words, penny wise and pound wise too. Hence the nickname: ‘cashti’
bhamon. Why? Because they held on to their pennies & pounds just as tightly as
the ‘cashti’ does the other p.p’s, and it made sense to me.
Bennet Paes
