I just want to record my sincere thanks to Senhor Fred for
the extra mile he has gone to in downloading these songs from
an ancient cassette thereby preserving the memory of a very
dear cousin(Jock Sequeira).
In addition to his writing flair and powerful vocal chords, Jock was
also a great
Excellent article, Roland.
Even though I'm not an ex- Vincentian, the article brought
back many happy memories.
My mother spent sometime at the Convent of Jesus and Mary.
My late Jesuit brother was ordained at De Nobli College and,
my late younger brother and I were privileged to serve at his
Hi Mervyn,
Thanks for this most interesting story of a wonderful character.
His story needs to be recorded for posterity.
Sad that his life had to be cut short at a comparatively young(these days)
age.
Mervyn M.
As there has been a Swahili flavour in some of the recent
posts on goanet, I couldn't resist sharing this extract from an
e-mail I received today from an African journalist friend from
Kenya's Northern Frontier:
My children have kindly taken for me medical insurance.Uzee inaanza
kukuja.God bless
Dear Rose,
Many thanks for those timely references.
As one who belongs to the Stone Age,
modern technology is something I am not
really au fait with.
Anyway, much appreciate your help.
Mervyn Maciel
Hi Mervyn,
Many thanks for the tip and link.
I can see myself becoming an expert in Ki-Swahili
before long or, to have it translated from the link you gave:
Mimi lazima kuwa na mtaalam katika Kiswahili!
Need to brush up on my Ki-Swahili - asante sana Bwana.
Mervyn M.
Mervyn Lobo wrote:
As you can see, the Goans in Toronto?have been?quite active politically. A
few years ago, they?pushed for and got?Canada to pass laws that now makes
it possible to prosecute in Canada, Canadians that?commit?pedophile?crimes
in India.
RESPONSE
I say Hats off to the Toronto
I was very pleased to read about this meeting in an earlier
posting on Goan Voice(UK), and since this is a topic very
close to the heart of the International Catholic Charity (Aid to the
Church in Need) for whom I've now been working(as a volunteer) for
over 20 years, I have recently posted a copy
Mapenzi yangu translates as My darling
Mervyn Maciel
Tony de Sa wrote:
Wouldn't drums be more appropriate for NGoma?
Or is that Tanzania ishtyle? Like for instance jinga (Kenya) and kamba
(Tanzania) for prawns?
I agree Ngoma could also be used for drums.
As for prawns, I have always referred to prawns as KAMBA in Kenya.
While all this discussion
Manuel Tavares wrote:
Muziki is a common name for Music in Swahili. Another term is Goma.
My own feeling is MUZIKI is the right word for music in Swahili
Goma, or rightly speaking, NGOMA refers ,more to dance?
Correct me if I'm wrong.
Mervyn(M
My congratulations and thanks to all those hardworking individuals
at goanet - FN, Herman and Bosco and all those working behind the
scenes who make it so easy for us to access the 'assortment' of posts
on goanet at the mere click of a mouse.
Many, many thanks once more.
Mervyn Maciel
Hi Fred,
My own experience while still at school in Aldona was that
avocados didn't do well in our Goa climate. Let me explain -
my maternal grandfather(ex Zanzibar) had an avocado plant(at our Moira
house)
which he had grown, presumably from seed/s he had brought back from
Zanzibar. The plant
Gabe,
As an infrequent visitor to the clubhouse, I am unaware
whether the clubhouse was not being maintained during the
period you mention, but you obviously feel so.
All I wanted to state is that despite the setback caused
by the arson attack, the Club has continued to function
to this day.
In his recent post Gabe wrote:
My grouse was that persons who do not know the history, would feel that we
only lost the Club House because of an arson attack.
Response:
As a former President of the Goan Association(UK), I accept that
Gabe would know more of the history of the Association than
In his recent, albeit belated posting, Gabe Menezes wrote:
It is not proper to give an impression that we would still be inheritors of
a Club House and grounds, if not for the arson attack. A resolution to sell
lock, stock and barrel was made and the present President took on the post
RESPONSE:
Mervyn Lobo wrote:
In my personal observations, the coastal Goans i.e. Mombasa, Tanga, Dar
and Zanzibar always seemed much warmer than those who lived in the
interior, who were usually richer and less fun.??
Response:
Have no experience of Tanga or Zanzibar, but couldn't agree more about the
Thanks Mervyn.
Enjoyed reading the articles and couldn't help but admire the high ideals
of our
early Goan pioneers to East Africa. Their aims, as mentioned in the
President's speech,
*to foster unity among Goans, to promote social and intellectual
activities and*
*to provide the best possible
Roland,
Your nostalgia-filled piece took me back to those unforgettable days of
our childhood -holidaying in our then unspoilt Goa, being content with the
simple pleasures of life, and breathing the clean, un-polluted air in a
Goan village.
T here is so much of this glorious past locked away
Some years ago, I had publicised the work being done to restore this
cemetery by my good friend
and well-known historian, the late Monty Brown. I did receive a few
positive responses from
some members of the community at the time, but am unaware of any tangible
support.
While senior members of
An English friend of mine has just sent me a copy of a letter from
a Manoel De Souza(Baker Confectioner) of Nairobi. The
letter is dated 1st February, 1908, and the style is quite fascinating.
Who knows, there might well be a relation of Manoel who accesses
goanet or even on Goan Voice(UK)?
Perhaps I should have made it clear that my piece was originally
written in response
to a request from the Secretary of the Kenya Administration Club(members include
former Provincial/District Commissioners, Ambassadors/High Commissioners and
myself!) here in the U.K. Our former Colonial masters
Hi Eddie,
Wonder if you could include this Notice in the next edition of Goan Voice(UK).
Many thanks. Copying it to goanet too.
Regards.
Mervyn
Archbishop Joseph Coutts in London:
On Thursday 17th May, Archbishop Joseph Coutts of Karachi will be
among several religious leaders
and
Don't think I'm qualified to comment on your lengthy post, Melvyn, but
just wanted
to correct the following:
from the Highlands and the Rift Valley to the coast places like
Eldoret, Narok, Kitale, Kisumu, Thika,
Eldoret, Narok,Kitale, Kisumu, Thika are certainly NOT in the Coast.
Eldoret
Dear Rose,
I'd passed your comments to my friend who feels that his
earlier statement is quite clear and needs no further clarification.
I too have no wish to prolong this subject as there were points you brought
up which bore no relevance to the topic under discussion, i.e. Oral History
of
I'd like to share the comments a friend made(in a private message to
me), after seeing my reply to Rose Fernandes.
Here's an extract from his message:
As usual, a most eloquent statement from a Goan mzee!
However, the last line needs amplification. I don't think that it was SOME
Goans who
Dear Rose,
How nice of you to make the time to comment on my interview. Much appreciated.
I 've been so encouraged by the many positive messages I've received ever
since the interview went 'public'.
Contrary to what you observe, I do not, in any way, consider my
posting to that
hell on earth
Apropos Gabe's comment, I agree the region was known as the N.F.D. and
wonder
if this might not have been an unfortunate slip up on Selma's part when
transposing
the words?
For the benefit of our readers, I quote from what that well known American
author,
Negley Farson, had to say:
*There is
Just as Frederick's ear was attracted to their innovative use of language,
my shrinking memory took me back to my holidays in my ancestral village
of Saloi(Salvador-do-Mundo). When playing in a friendly football match
on an open field, an oft heard expression was:
shoot men ( meaning, 'pass
I am grateful to Gabe for the very informative link provided on the Kenya
Regiment.
I was ignorant of many of the aspects mentioned in the link.
Yes, the Kenya Regiment was a White preserve, and having been stationed in
Kitale(one of the key centres of the White settlers), I got to know quite a
I agree with Gabe that the abbreviation K.P.R. did stand for Kenya Police
Reserve.
A few Europeans and Asians were recruited for this force. The Kenya Regiment
was made up of more hardy young men.
Another aspect I found a trifle difficult to believe was where one
interviewee
says that she could
Dear Tony(D'Sa) ,
Thank you for your kind words on my article.
Quite honestly, I have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback
I've received from so many Goans on the net, and have replied to
them all individually.
Mervyn and I hope that my article may have revived happy memories
of your own
I was so pleased to hear of the appointment of Bishop Joseph Coutts
as the next Archbishop of Karachi.
A couple of years ago, I was fortunate to meet him at Westminster
Cathedral in London, as he was the Chief Guest speaker at the annual
event organised by the Catholic Charity(Aid to the Church
Apologies for prolonging this topic, Fred, but there are a few points I'd
like to clear.
I never felt that the African ire was directed at us, WaGoa(as we were
known), but rather at
the Wahindi(Asian businessmen), who openly exploited the illiterate African
masses
especially in the
I think Roland has put it succinctly.
What one has to remember - and here I am speaking personally,
we went to East Africa for a certain purpose, i.e.to earn a living,
just as our fathers and grandfathers before us had done.
While some of those(mentioned by Frederick) were free to criticise
the
I recently asked a Goan friend of mine to view Roland's review of my
book on goanet. The individual concerned was born and raised in East
Africa during
the colonial era. Having seen some of the subsequent posts on goanet,
this is what he had to say in a recent message to me:
Quote:The British
Tony's interesting post on the achievements of Goans should be
preserved in our archives. It it heartening to note that the contribution
of these individuals, and Goans generally, was recognised by the
award of the various honours(decorations). There were several
civil servants in Kenya who also
Dear Tony all,
Pardon me for this general and rather hasty response to some of the
postings on goanet recently.
For the benefit of all, Yes, Sir Richard was my Provincial Commissioner in
the
Northern Frontier Province; he then became Minister for Internal Security
Defence,
then Chief Secretary
In reply to Victor's comment - I feel certain that what Roland meant was
caste
although he's used the word class
To our eternal shame, 'casteism' was very prevalent in Kenya( and dare
I say, East Africa)
in those days, especially in the Civil Service. To me, personally, this
whole question of
Hi Roland,
Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your excellent Review
of Braz's book. Hope others will be encouraged to read it(JM) too.
Mervyn(Maciel)
---
Protect Goa's natural beauty
The news of Mario's exit from our midst is a sad loss to
Goans the world over.
He could fill our 'duller' moments with joy and laughter through his
down-to-earth cartoons.
Goa has lost a great son and we all mourn his loss.
Our condolences to his family and friends.
Mervyn Maciel
My late friend Cornel D'Costa was the one who introduced me to goanet, and
while my own contributions on the net have been negligible- virtually nil,
I have previously quite
enjoyed some of the posts on the forum -they were healthy.
Of late, however, some of the posts appearing on the net have
Found this very interesting - thanks Fred.
Mervyn(M)
The item below was sent by a friend from Canada and may be of interest to
fellow Goans?
Mervyn(Maciel)
*
*
In February 2011, Goan Archives Canada was invited by the Peel Heritage
Complex in Brampton Ontario to participate in the Passages Project.
*“We all make passages through life. We
Let me set the record straight once and for all.
I am at a loss to understand where Gabe got the idea that I,
(the good Bwana-Karani-Boran) and the dusky Shashtikar
(should this not be Shashtikan?) -talked and an idea was formed
This assumption is miles away from the truth.
The fact of the
Although I never had the pleasure of meeting Victor(except in cyberspace)
and Lea, I send my heartfelt condolences to Victor and the family on their
great loss.
May the Good Lord grant peace to Lea's soul and
strength to Victor and the family at this sad time.
Mervyn Elsie(Maciel)
-- Forwarded message --
From: Cyprian Fernandes skip...@live.com.au
Date: Tue, Aug 30, 2011 at 1:58 PM
Subject: FW: [Goanet] LONDON CONVENTION COST GOAN TAX PAYER OVER 12 LAKHS
To: maciel mervynels.watuwasha...@gmail.com
B
--
From:
I join in the felicitations and send my congratulations, good wishes and
thanks to all those unsung heroes at the helm
- Fred, Bosco and others who keep us, Goans worldwide so well connected. I
appreciate this can
sometimes seem a thankless job, but, thanks to your
initiatives, we are kept well
Folks, mine's a Kenya TUSKER any day, Bwana.
Cheers.
Mervyn(Maciel)
Hi Fred,
Speaking of Goans in the London and Outer London
Areas, maybe Stella Mascarenhas-Keyes or even
our Eddie Fernandes(Goan Voice UK), may be the
best to provide you with this info? On the wider U.K. scale, I can't think
of anyone who would have this information. Perhaps Flavio Gracias as
Some years ago, I do remember Goans who were living in the Tottenham area,
but am not sure if there
are any there now. Enfield does have some Goan
residents and Croydon is certainly home to many
Goans - not only Croydon, but the surrounding areas
of Thornton Heath, Norbury etc.
Let's hope the
Hi Fred,
Enjoyed watching this well -put- together video.
Having a potter in the house made it doubly
interesting.
Thanks again for preserving so much of our
rich Goan heritage.
Mervyn(Maciel)
Hi John,
Glad to see you've entered the 'nachne' debate!
I well remember matama but feel this is more like sorghum with larger grains
than
finger millet(wimbi in Swahili). The locals even made quite an intoxicating
brew from
wimbi(nachne). Anyway, let's wait and see what our other Goan sages have
Hi Fred,
The very mention of *nachni * took me back to my school days in Goa when my
grandma(Xamai mogachi) used to prepare
my favourite 'Tisan'(sp?); another elderly aunt would also make some
mouth-watering 'bakris' kneading the flour
with leftover 'canji(pez!). You certainly took me back a few
Have just received the sad news a few moments ago that my good friend
and well known Kenya author and historian, Cynthia Salvadori, committed
suicide last night.
She was in regular touch with me, exchanging lengthy e-mails about our
mutual concern for
the peoples of Kenya's Northern Frontier.
Her
Hi Fred,
Sorry can't help you with the translation of :
Amani gomani
Maux' baba
O manddo xiva re
O manddo xiva xiva
-but I've sung these verses on many an occasion!
I'm sure some of the more seasoned Goans on goanet will
come up with an answer.
Mervyn (M)
Why 'Goanese' is incidentally a puzzle, since when speaking English, they
refer to themselves, and are referred to by other Indians, as *Goans;* so
that the
word 'Goanese' is now in many ways a term of opprobrium, descriptive only of
the employment of Goans in European domestic service.
So
Fr. Conceicao D'Silva's lament about Goans shying away from Konkani,
reminded me of a poem composed by that late Goan Jesuit historian(who taught
English at St. Paul's, Belgaum) -Rev. Claude Saldanha, S.J.
Sadly, age had dimmed my memory, but here are
some of the verses I can
Hi FN, Joel, Leroy and all,
The pictures speak for themselves, and I am sure
you are all encouraged by the interest shown by
authors and others alike. Took me back to the
day the Book Club was first launched, an occasion
I felt so privileged to be present at.
Long may the TT Book club continue.
FN,
Pardon my ignorance, but hadn't realized that my
school days favourite drink(Vimto) had an
English connection.
We live and learn!
Mervyn(M)
---
http://www.GOANET.org
---
Goa Sudharop Annual Awards
January 5, 2011 - 3:45
---
http://www.GOANET.org
---
NEW BOOK: 'PATRIOTISM IN ACTION: Goans in Indias Defence Services'
With
---
http://www.GOANET.org
---
NEW BOOK: 'PATRIOTISM IN ACTION: Goans in Indias Defence Services'
With
Goanetters annual year-end meet is on Dec 27, 2010 (Monday) from 4-6 pm at
Institute Piedade (near Hotel Mandovi, opp Bread More) in Panjim. Do come
along. RSVP via SMS 9822122436, f...@goa-india.org or 2409490 (after 2 pm).
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hi Fred,
I'll be there in spirit(pun intended!).
Mervyn M.
*M.X. FERNANDES OF ISIOLO, Kenya*
*
*
During my recent trip to Goa, I ran into the grandson(Mario) of Mr. M.X.
Fernandes,
pioneer Goan businessman of Isiolo, Northern Kenya.I am anxious to obtain a
photograph of the Fernandes duka at Isiolo and wonder if any former
N.F.D.-wallas
can help? Mario
---
http://www.GOANET.org
---
Book Release: Goanetter Valmiki Faleiro's Patriotism in Action
Dec 18, 2010 (Sat)
---
http://www.GOANET.org
---
Book Release: Goanetter Valmiki Faleiro's Patriotism in Action
Dec 18, 2010 (Sat)
Selma,
How I enjoyed your comments to Roland.
Your mention of a young girl trying to teach you(a highly educated
individual) how to send faxes (and perhaps make coffee !!)reminded me of
something I experienced at my first job in London. My colleagues and I
shared a Dictaphone and were expected to
Just to let you all know that I got back safely landing at Gatwick this
evening. Thompson's must have felt the pinch of paying for our stay at
Dona Sylvia Beach Resort in South Goa, so sent a special plane from
Manchester to pick us up.
I had hoped to enjoy the luxury of this resort for
My Ki-Swahili is pretty 'rusty' these days , but I
can well remember the delicious GURU. Those of us who lived in up-country
Kenya, never failed to return
home without a parcel of guru after a holiday at the coast. This was often
converted into the mouth-watering PARAA or fried and added
to a
Asante sana, Bwana Tony.
You certainly brightened an otherwise cold and
dullish autumn day!
What happy memories - I couldn't resist dancing to an old favourite.
By sheer coincidence, we were discussing Zanzibar on another Forum, and I
was explaining how we were
caught up in that bloody
Sarto Steves was a close friend of my late younger
brother(Wilfred), and I remember meeting him on several occasions during my
overseas leave from East Africa in the early 1950's.
He struck me as a very kind and unassuming individual. He used to write
fairly regularly for the
Catholic journal The
---
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Goanet joins Noel Rebello to raise money for Daddy's Home (Margao, Goa)
Sponsor Noel
---
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---
Goanet joins Noel Rebello to raise money for Daddy's Home (Margao, Goa)
Sponsor Noel
To say that I am visibly shocked would be putting it mildly.
I can hardly believe that we both shared the stage only a few weeks ago at
the Goan Festival which
saw the launch of Selma's now-popular book.
Cornel and I exchanged views on a variety of subjects and he always
mentioned his regret
I think the year 1966 which Anna-Maria refers to, may have been the year
when Goa Today was published under it's new ownership. It
was FIRST published much earlier and started by my dear friend Lambert
Mascarenhas. Here's an extract from
the Editorial of the Ruby Anniversary issue:
On this
What an amusing subject which brings back so many memories of my childhood
days
in Goa.
I don't think my brothers and I ever escaped the DISTH ritual on our annual
holidays in Goa.
To us, it was a bit of fun. Whenever we complained of 'suddenly feeling
unwell,the immediate
diagnosis of our elders
I have so far resisted the temptation of entering the fray as there were far
more seasoned goanetters
who were contributing to this 'debate'.
Having seen the latest posts, all I can say is -
All's well that ends well -with a touch of humour too!
Mervyn Maciel
Those of you who have read my memoirs will know that I too was in Kenya
during the Mau Mau era and in fact came in contact with many of the
Mau Mau leaders, some of whom went on to become Ministers in Kenyatta's
first independent government.
I was also sent to Kapenguria during the Kenyatta
Thanks, Selma, for resurrecting the names of these gallant Goans, Valentine
and Caetano from the [mists of obscurity].
Perhaps there are similar 'untold' instances of bravery by our Goans which
lie buried in family archives.
While history records the part played by the White Man in opening
---
Sign the Petition requesting The Honble Minister of State for Environment
and Forests (I/C) to maintain the moratorium on issuing further
environmental clearances for mining activities in Goa
Just a shot in the dark maybe, but while all this discussion on 'Old
Konkani records is going on..
I wonder if anyone on goanet has some of the old Konkani records produced in
Bombay in the 40's by HMV, and which contain songs composed by my late
cousin Joaquim (Jock) Sequeira? Or would they be
Whenever I've used Deu borem korun or Deu boro dis dium in the
past, I've always heard the response, tuka-i-dium.
Doesn't kurpa refer more to grace- in the religious sort of sense?
--
Mervyn Maciel
I tend to agree with Ben Antao, although I feel his comments are
not intended as a generalisation.
While there seems to be too much emphasis laid on socializing - even in our
Goan Institutions, I feel the injection of some
intellectual stimulus would not go amiss.
--
Mervyn Maciel
---
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Apropos the apparent take over of
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I had circulated Selma's pieced
* G * O * A * N * E * T C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S *
Planning to get married in Goa?
www.weddingsetcgoa.com
Making your 'dream
* G * O * A * N * E * T C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S *
Planning to get married in Goa?
www.weddingsetcgoa.com
Making your 'dream
* G * O * A * N * E * T C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S *
Two new showrooms/office spaces, double height (135 sq m each with bath)
for
Pardon me if my thinking on this issue is a bit 'clouded';I had all along
assumed that the discussion was not so much about foreigners
pushing up the price of property(or fish for that matter!), to the detriment
of the
indigenous Goans, but rather, the sad plight of those British expatriates
who,
I agree wholeheartedly with Tony de Sa's comments.Where property has been
acquired illegally, by all means, let the culprits -
be they politicians, lawyers or whoever, face the rigors of the law.
Some Brits may well have been gullible and trusted their host advisers.
If, however, they have
As a Goan, I was ashamed to read of the plight of innocent British families
who, havingfollowed the proper procedures and legitimately bought property
in Goa, now find themselves
being hounded by the authorities, and risk losing these properties
.
I hope their Petition to Prime Minister Gordon
Religion, it is said, is the process of entering into personal
communication with God - a matter of deep faith so to speak; and we, Goans,
true to our Patron Saint, St. Francis Xavier, have carried our faith to the
far corners of the globe, and so, it was not unusual that Goans should take
an
Remembering Aquino Braganca (b. 6 April 1924), who fought for freedom
of the former Portuguese colonies in Africa. An online tribute
http://aquinobraganca.wordpress.com/ (includes many historical
Remembering Aquino Braganca (b. 6 April 1924), who fought for freedom
of the former Portuguese colonies in Africa. An online tribute
http://aquinobraganca.wordpress.com/ (includes many historical
I must say I enjoyed Tony Fernandes's reminisces of the Eco-friendlyGoan
ghaddo.
It took me back to the day, some 3 years ago, when I just couldn't resist
the temptation of hitching a ride on one of these carts from my ancestral
home to the local shop(posro), much to the amusement of my
Like others on the forum, I too ' mourn the passing away' of our humble Goan
poie. I can still recall how, during our school days in Goa, we used to
look forward to the arrival of the Poder when, among the few white loaves we
bought, there always HAD to be at least 2 Poies!
These days we are
Thanks, Marcos for that true-to-life article.Reminded me of the poem we
learnt at school in our younger days;
here, are a few lines that my now-failing memory has retained:
I owe no penny, I cannot pay
I thank the river Dee
That turns the mill,
That grinds the corn
To feed my babes and me.
Oh,
It looks as though it is only in Britain that things grind to a halt
when wehave
what others call a flurry of snow.
Good excuse for workers to take days off and for school children to have
extra holidays, but what of the consequences?
Even our postmen seem to find it hard to deliver our
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