Goa has already started preparing for the Monsoons with villages starting the process of drying of fish for consumption during the rains when availability will be reduced. Para, pickled dried fish is also being made in various places. In the village of Raia, ‘Bindachem Solam’, which is used to flavor various curries is also being dried, says Suresh Satarkar, a resident of the village.
The summer season brings with it mangoes aplenty. Sometimes, raw mangoes or ‘chepnechem toram’ is used as a pickle. Dominic Quadros, a resident of Mumbai comes to Goa in April every year to carry back some pickled raw mangoes. Another resident of Raia, Nickel Fernandes says that he has started cleaning the roof tiles and sticking coconut palms to the walls. Arlem resident Minoo Rodrigues says that he brought new ‘vashem’, made in Benaulim for his house and added that coconut wood is good as a roofing material. Additionally, he adds that making ropes of wild pineapples and other trees like the ‘combio’ to weave the coconut palms on the walls is an old tradition that has worked over the years.
Leonard D’Souza of Nessai has said that he will make the ‘kondo’ out of coconut leaves to use as a raincoat when he goes out into the fields.
Cuncolim resident Sarita Fernandes says she is all set for the rains with vinegar bottles lining up her kitchen cabinets, dried pork meat and local salt all in her possession.
People eagerly look forward to buy these items and preservatives which are usually made available at various feasts like the Milagres feast in Mapusa in April and the Holy Spirit feast in Margao.
Retiling and repairing of roofs ahead of the monsoons is another tradition in Goa. Most houses and churches in the state use tiles and in case of any cracks or breaks in the tiles, water can easily seep into the house.
Speaking to Herald, Basilio Dias from Fatorda says, “Nowadays, it is very difficult to get labourers and carpenters. Their jobs have become more in demand and the number of people taking up these kinds of jobs has drastically reduced.” The coconut beams cost Rs 70 per foot while the cost of labour is a whopping Rs 700.
Rusada Dias from Ambora says that she has to undertake changing of the tiles on her roof every three years because lots of leaves and dust get stuck in the gaps. Hence, in order for water to flow off the roof effectively, cleaning the tiles yearly is a must. But the cost of labour has increased as compared to three years ago. She went on to say that these old houses need to be maintained and that they look good and coolness can be maintained inside. “We should maintain the houses of our ancestors for the sake of the future generation,” she quipped.
