Subject: Goa's history and culture This is the early start of the Fourth of July weekend. This is the weekend of the World Goa Day (WGD) Celebration of North American being held in Los Angeles this year. Goans from North America will get together for a festive time to celebrate their Goan Heritage. We wish the organizers and attendees a delightful time and productive meetings. We pray for their safe return back to their homes after the meeting. Also Mr. Oscar Furtado of the G.O.A. of Greater Toronto Area (GTA) has informed the WGD that their Viva Goa in GTA on July 25 weekend will be in solidarity with and part of the WGD.
I would have liked to have reported on the Goan Diaspora in North America on this auspicious weekend. But to the best of my knowledge, no one has done a study of this population group. Perhaps a Goan retiree can undertake this study. With the cooperation of all Goans in North America and the G.O.A.s we could have some idea of the demographics, cultural practice patterns and the distribution of the Goan community in this great expanse. To those not in Los Angeles and desirous of being part of the celebrations of World Goa Day (like me), we should read the message of Mr. Rene Barreto the over-all coordinator of the World Goa Day celebrations across the world. Beyond that the best we can do this weekend is to recap our knowledge of Goan history with our families and friends. So here is a suggested list of Goa-specific events that we should celebrate in our homes and in our communities followed by a table of important historical milestones of Goa. The celebrations that are outlined identify ourselves as Goans and connect us with the celebrations that will occur in Goa. Goa Specific Dates to celebrate / maintain our culture and 'Goaness': Some dates change from year to year as they are based on the lunar calendar. 1. Goa Statehood Day - (May 30) 2. Asmitai Dis - (January 16) with India's Republic Day (Jan 26) 3. Konkani Language Day - (August 20 or the day it is celebrated in Goa) 4. St. Francis Xavier feast - (Goencho Saib on December 3) 5. Blessed Joseph Vaz feast - (Patron of Goa and Daman on January 16) 6. Venerable Agnelo DeSouza feast - (Birthday Jan 21; Died Nov 20) 7. Ganesh Chaturthi with India's Independence Day (August 15) 8. Divali (October / November) 9. Shigmo, Holi and Carnival (February / March) 10. Navrati (September / October) 11. Mahatma Gandhi's birthday (October 2) 12. Ramzan Id (November) Please add your village or gotra festival and others. Important Dates in Goa's History from the dawn of the second millennium. Abstracted from Amchi Khobor-Our news-Inside Goa. Konkani officially recognized language - August 20, 1992. Goa gains Statehood - August 12, 1987. Union Territory of Goa, Daman, Diu - 1961-1987. Liberation of Goa - December 19, 1961. Panjim declared new capital - 1843. British occupation - 1797-1813. Portuguese annex Ponda, Sanguem, Pernem, Quepem Canacona - 1783-1799. Take over Bicholim, Satara - 1764. Acquire Bardez and Salsete - 1543. Portuguese rule only Ilhas / Tiswadi (Panjim and Old Goa) - 1510-1543. Victory by Albuquerque at Goa - November 25, 1510. Yusuf Adil Shah rules Goa - 1488-1510 Rule of Sultan of Bijapur - 1471-1488. Rule by Bankapur chiefs - 1454-1471. Rule by the Vijayanagara Empire - 1378-1454. Rule of the Bahamani sultans - 1367-1369. Kadambas of Goa (14 kings) - 937-1367. Regards, Gilbert Lawrence ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################