During the Portuguese regime in Goa, large numbers of Roman Catholics deserted their native villages in Goa due to the infamous Inquisition (1560- 1812) and other reasons. Since then, majority of these Goans have settled above the Western Ghat region in Karnataka and Maharashtra that covers the districts of Belgaum, Kolhapur, Sindhudurg and parts of Karwar district. During that period, this was the exodus of sorts in the region generally identified as Ghat Matho.
Predominantly identified till this day as Konkanis or Bardeskars (as majority of them hail from Bardez taluka) of Goan origin, these Goan settlers are unique in more ways than one: their love and loyalty towards Konkani language and culture, the way they have painstakingly conserved Konkani language and culture which is their identity, and their love for Goa their motherland that subsists strongly in their hearts and lives. Many of these settlers are Gaonkars of various communidades in Goa and visit their respective villages once a year.
Affectionately and for the record, they register Konkani as their mother tongue irrespective of the medium of education. Through Konkani associations, activities and magazines they are striving to conserve this age-old Goan Konkani culture they inherit from Goa.
“Inherently being clever, quick, witty, compassionate and hardworking, these Goan settlers managed to settle in villages and taluka places above the ghats region mainly comprising of the paddy growing hinterland adjacent to the Eastern Sahyadri ranges. Gradually they adapted to local languages like Marathi & Kannada and mingled with the local traditions and culture due to which they were widely accepted among the locals to the extent they have earned respectable status wherever they live. Many of them have achieved exemplary success in corporate, politics, education , social, cultural and other sectors, ” said Alphie Monteiro, founder president of Pune Konkani Kristha Sabha.
“Being professional agriculturists, the local landlords and farm owners offered pieces of their agricultural lands to them for cultivation. Those who could not get the lands took to wholesale and retail in dry and fresh fish trading that was brought from Goa and Konkan, while they visited their respective communidade at least once a year,” Fr Joe Monteiro, Dean of Ajara deanery and a Jesuit priest who belongs to this community, added.
At homes, in their vaddos, during social, cultural functions and religious practices they speak Konkani and follow Konkani culture. Over the years, they have adapted to regional dietary habits. However, their menu contains Goan fish curry and rice and a dry mackerel for most of the time of the year when fresh fish is not available.
“What is praiseworthy is the fact that despite fleeing Goa and abandoning their ancestral land and property, they have not abandoned their Christian faith, Konkani language and culture. Be it religious practices, weddings, deaths, festivals and public meetings, all these Goan settlers till date have faithfully followed Goan customs and culture they have inherited from their forefathers,” remarks octogenarian Jesuit Fr Joe Pinto, himself a Goan settler who is now residing at Khanapur.
Incidentally, Jesuit and Diocesan priests of Goan origin, who are present in this region in big numbers, have played a vital role to conserve the Goan rituals, traditions and culture.
One of the important aspects is that even today they live in ‘vaddos’ and strongly believe in harmonious co-existence and ardently follow the Goan traditions, rituals and customs that come alive from December till the beginning of Lenten season and later in the months of April and May after Easter, when village feasts and marriages are celebrated with traditional Goan fervour.
The comfrade or kompree, as they are popularly identified, comprise of traditionally dressed Irmavs wearing the red and white Ukmus or colour, depending on their patron saint. They lead the feast mass, pursav (procession) or the concluding adoration to the imaage (idol) of the patron saint after the pursav. This is a common site everywhere. One of the Irmavs holds the cross mounted on the sticks calleddando, while others hold a dando carrying candle.
The feasts here begin with a novena or a triduum while a madi is planted in front of the church on the beginning day of novena with a photo of the patron saint mounted . On the feast day, the members of the local comfrade welcome the comfrade from other villages, a tradition which is ardently followed everywhere.
The Irmavs also lead the funeral mass and cortege till the cemetery. When an Irmav dies, he is buried wearing his traditional Ukmus.
Be it a feast mass, wedding mass or a funeral mass or the choir in the mass, Konkani is commonly used in this region. Every village also observes Gaavche Fest (village feast). When it comes to feast meals, the sannas boiled in a brass tandoor dominate the feast meal in every family or even the fellowship meal hosted by the village.
“Weddings here too reflect Goan tradition. Commenced with putting up a Matav(pendal) that must compulsory have mango leaves and seasonal flowers hanging. This is followed by Ros applied to the bride or the groom after planting the sign of the cross on their foreheads. Ros is followed by Almanche Jevonn, which is offered as a commemoration to the family souls. The Almanche Jevon is according to the rich Goan tradition and carries Goan fragrance as the seven vegetables, dry prawn curry (sungta curry), vonn (traditional sweet drink made of coconut, gram, jaggery etc.),” stated Shaver Gonsalves, an activist and retired teacher from Santibastwad village.
“The fellowship is incomplete without the kopache, a drink resembling the Goan cashew fenny extracted from the cashews plucked from our own farms. However, due to legal restrictions, IMFL is now being offered off late at various places as an alternative,” Shaver added.
Besanv (blessings) is an important part of a wedding in the Western Ghat area. At every stage, elders offer their besanv. During Almanche Jevonn, elders spontaneously sing the traditional songs like Besanv Tumcher Poddum Re or Zai Tem Amcam..Devaache Raj, the Konkani melodies inherited from their ancestors.
“One of the interesting parts of Konkani culture and tradition is the Yersas or verses, the melodious songs that are sung on the occasion of the wedding. Right from the day of the Ros till the vhor (taking the bridal couple to home in procession), Konkani yersas that are sung powerfully by women folk are the inseparable parts of the weddings here. Apart from the family souls, these yersas honour Saibin Mai (Mother Mary), Jesus and Goencho Saib, St Francis Xavier,” said Elaine Borges, a teacher from Khanapur and a popular singer of Yersas.
“After entering the home, the elders recite the Ladain (litany) in Konkani or in Latin,” added Elaine.
Another aspect of the Goan tradition and culture which is observed till date is the ghumots, that are played enthusiastically on joyous occasions. With a traditional ghumot in hand, elders in some villages in Khanapur taluka like Godolli, Kakkeri, Alnavar, Yedoga, Halyal and Mansapur, have faithfully conserved the tradition of ghumots.
The Goan language and culture that they inherited from Goa their motherland is the hallmark of these Goan settlers. On the other hand, the elders voice some concern about modernization and globalization, as the new generation are beginning to shun these rich traditions and culture.
Undeterred by the influences of modernisation, social activists, litterateurs and clergy members have been striving hard to pass on their Goan culture to the future generations.
