FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
Molly Fernandes
We Goans cannot think of a lunch without fish on the platter. Even a small one brings smiles on faces of people who eat fish. Otherwise, avois! jevnnak kainch nam? Kharem pasun bazunk nam? A reproach with a sullen face! Oops. Yet, the fisher folk community makes ends meet!
During the monsoons, we would get river fish but that too has become a sad plight due to various reasons. The local fishing traditions are having a slow death due to reasons known to the big sharks that are hell bent to destroy our rivers, the sea, its hills and now the land fiasco!
A decade ago I remember seeing a lot of fish being sold on the roadside - national highway going to Vasco. That fish was of ‘futtani’ and also of ‘manas’, plus locals letting their nets down in the rivers.
The once fishermen (apostles) turned out to be fishers of men because Jesus called them. They were so amazing! Today it would just be a dream! The monsoons are the best times to fish and practice fishing. To pass time, a fishing rod is the best gadget I would say instead of that mobile where time is passed by watching reels! Fishing in the small bands and lakes is the best thing one can opt to do these days.
Once the fishing ban starts, the trawlers get a new outlook after the wear and tear is replaced in the span of two months. But those having canoes do brisk business, fishing in the shallow waters or the various weapons or means now introduced in the fishing industry. Yet, the faithful traditionalists if not all but a few wait for the feasts of St. Peter and Paul, that is on June 29, to let their nets down even in shallow waters or to put ramponn. Ramponn for shrimps.
It is interesting to see the fisher folk community honoring St. Peter, because he was a fisherman. No doubt, he is their patron and a model. But there’s also another aspect of St. Peter. He not only was a fisherman but also a fisher of men. Meaning he proclaimed the Risen Lord. He went around making disciples, performed miracles and gave witness of Jesus. So the fishing community has a lot to learn from their patron in a given situation.
Together with St. Peter, the Church also remembers St. Paul. As we come to know that St. Paul was a Jew which we find addressed in his own words in the Acts of the Apostles: “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city. At the feet of Gamaliel, I was educated strictly in our ancestral law and was zealous for God, just as all of you are today. I was persecuted this way to death, binding both men and women and delivering them to prison. Even the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify on my behalf.”
The feast of Saint Peter has its very own celebration in Goa known as Sangodd and his feast marks the blessing of the sea as well as the boats and canoes for the coming season held on June 29.
St. Peter let his net down at the command of Jesus and he got a great catch. Taking inspiration from this act of St. Peter, may the fishing community before letting their nets down pray to God with faith chanting the word of god in praise and thanksgiving in all circumstances.
