|
BOMO POROBO - CHURCH PAINTER !
|
BOMO POROBO from Sonarvaddo, Guamvaddy, Anjuna, was known for his excellent
painting by almost every parish in Goa. He was one of the few Goans who undertook the dauntless task of painting churches, including the altars, which is an intricate job. In fact, he was known as �Church painter� !
Bomo was a very humble person; a man with few words. He took up painting as a profession at an early age at the beginning of the last century. As the eldest son, he was responsible for the entire family. Every one of the four brothers got married, but all of them continued to live under the same roof. Thus, the family of a few members went on to become the biggest joint family in Anjuna, and it remained so until the end of the 1970�s. The joint family was so big that whenever an election took place, the candidates made sure that they kept good relations with the family, and who wouldn�t if
it meant 60+ votes from one joint family?
It was a practice and still is for contractors to receive weekly payment for the services rendered. So, as soon as Bomo received payment, he would buy weekly provisions for the family like one sack of rice, one sack of onions, one sack of potatoes, one sack of dried chilies, one large tin of kerosene, one large tin of oil, etc. Of course, he bought everything at wholesale prices.
The one thing that always amazed me about the family was their unity.
Nobody had heard of any quarrels/arguments in their house. How could such a large family live without any problems when small families in our society consisting of a father, mother, son and daughter-in-law found it difficult to get along with each other? One day I asked one of the male members of the family how they managed to live in such harmony. He told me they consulted each other and sorted out differences, if any, among themselves.
painting by almost every parish in Goa. He was one of the few Goans who undertook the dauntless task of painting churches, including the altars, which is an intricate job. In fact, he was known as �Church painter� !
Bomo was a very humble person; a man with few words. He took up painting as a profession at an early age at the beginning of the last century. As the eldest son, he was responsible for the entire family. Every one of the four brothers got married, but all of them continued to live under the same roof. Thus, the family of a few members went on to become the biggest joint family in Anjuna, and it remained so until the end of the 1970�s. The joint family was so big that whenever an election took place, the candidates made sure that they kept good relations with the family, and who wouldn�t if
it meant 60+ votes from one joint family?
It was a practice and still is for contractors to receive weekly payment for the services rendered. So, as soon as Bomo received payment, he would buy weekly provisions for the family like one sack of rice, one sack of onions, one sack of potatoes, one sack of dried chilies, one large tin of kerosene, one large tin of oil, etc. Of course, he bought everything at wholesale prices.
The one thing that always amazed me about the family was their unity.
Nobody had heard of any quarrels/arguments in their house. How could such a large family live without any problems when small families in our society consisting of a father, mother, son and daughter-in-law found it difficult to get along with each other? One day I asked one of the male members of the family how they managed to live in such harmony. He told me they consulted each other and sorted out differences, if any, among themselves.
However, they would have a weekly gathering on a Sunday at which anyone could put forth suggestions to the �Vhoddil� (head of the house � Bomo), and his decision would be final. Since everything was done in the interest of the family, nobody ever complained.
 |
|
|
In the olden days, each Catholic family member also gathered in his/her native house once a year to celebrate the feast of the Nativity. All the family members would sit and eat lunch together, thus symbolizing unity, but nobody follows this tradition now.
These festivals take place almost back to back every year, and as far as custom and tradition are concerned, there is a lot of similarity between the two but regrettably many of us have forgotten them. Since these festivals bring about unity in families, it would be a good idea to reintroduce the custom and tradition which would not only improve relationships but also enhance love, peace and tranquility among us.
Moi-mogan,
Domnic Fernandes
Anjuna/Dhahran, KSA
R E F L E C T I O N S:
BROKEN CROSSES
Old Habits Die Hard !
- Forwarded by www.goa-world.com
Gulf-Goans e-Newsletter since 1994 is moderated by [EMAIL PROTECTED]@R @LMEID@, Associate goa-world.com & presented by Ulysses Menezes, Owner goa-world.com website. All postings archived at www.yahoogroups.com/group/gulf-goans/ ![]()
Do you Yahoo!?
vote.yahoo.com - Register online to vote today!
http://www.goa-world.com
http://www.live365.com/stations/61664 Live Konkani Music
http://www.mahableshwar.com/
Addresses:
Post message: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
List owner: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
URL to this page:
http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/gulf-goans
| Yahoo! Groups Sponsor | |
|
|
Yahoo! Groups Links
- To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/
- To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
- Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
