The fact that she will be 90 years in October may not make much news, but what makes her stand out in the southern coastal village is that Martinha is the mother of 14.
“Atanchea Bailank dhonachea voir burgench naka zallear. Anic government-akui tench zai nure (The women of today do not want more than two children and the government wants the same thing),” says Martinha with a smile.
Born on October 13, 1926, Martinha was married to Alexinho Da Silva at the young age of 16 years and she went on to give birth to 11 boys and 3 girls. Her first son, Joshito (72) was born two years after their marriage. One daughter and a son, however did not survive beyond infancy.
Martinha’s long list of children reads more like a litany of saints. Her sons are Joshito, Francis Xavier, Nicolaus, Ambrose, Albert, Antonio, Pedru, John, Agnelo and Soccoro, while her daughters are Exaltacao and Fatima. Two others, a boy and a girl, died in infancy.
Despite nearing 90 years, Martinha is in good health but finds it difficult to recall memories of her youthful days.
When asked if she had been awarded by then Portuguese government for having 14 children during her wedlock, she was quick to ask: “Kon sangta? (Who said so?)”
Her eldest son, Joshito, then added: “It was rumored at the time that Portuguese government had been awarding parents of an unusually high number of children. But no one (from the Portuguese regime) actually approached our family, although our parents received praises from various quarters in our area.”
Martinha’s husband, Alexinho, a toddy tapper by profession, passed away about 12 years ago. Joshito and his youngest brother, Socorro, were full of praise for their mum.
“Our father is from Quepem, while our mother is from Khanaguinim. They were married at a very young age. Due to our father’s profession, the entire family settled in Palolem and all of us are born and brought up in Palolem,” says Joshito.
“It was possible for our parents, especially to our mother, to bring us up only because of that golden period. In today’s world, women rarely have the desire to bear more children,” he said.
“Our mother along with our father brought us to be responsible and successful persons. Each of us 12 siblings went on to have our own families and we live separately. Our mother assisted our father despite the difficult times. She also helped our father in his profession and would walk with gallons of toddy and liquor on her head over a prolonged distance,” Joshito added.
