HEY CECIL THAT WAS SUPERB. WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR AMAZING EXPLANATIONS FROM? JOE - PLS PUT IN MY VOTE IN FAVOUR OF CECIL FOR THE MOST HUMEROUS GOA NETTER.
IF I REMEMBER RIGHT KISHORE KUMAR HAD SUNG A FAMOUS SONG YEARS AGO "MANNA BADA PYARA, AMMI KA DULARA" TO THE TUNE OF "UNDRA MUJEA MAMA" - SO HE KNEW ABOUT THIS MANNA BUSINESS LONG BACK I SUPPOSE. THERE IS ALSO A FAMOUS SINGER OF YESTERYEARS CALLED "MANNA DEY" AND A MOVIE CALLED TA'MANNA'. HERE'S WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY EASTER IN ADVANCE. WARM WISHES VINCENT ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cecil Pinto" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2004 3:41 PM Subject: [Goanet]Goenchi-manna - A brief explanation > Candice Ezekwe wrote: > > 'What exactly does "goenchimanna" mean?' > > ----------------- > > Dear Candice, > > How coincidental that you ask this question on the eve of Maundy Thursday > which, in the Christian calender, is the day the newspapers are full of > advertisements by bakeries for Hot Cross Buns. > > 'Manna' as we all know is from the Bible. The Israelites were hungry on > their flight to Egypt. It was a non-stop no-frills charter flight. What can > you expect from Jews? So many centuries later, the Israelis still come to > Anjuna the same way. Anyway they prayed to God and he showered upon them > insta-vitamin tablets that they consumed. He then showered upon them > tablets with rules written on them, which they accepted but ignored. > Finally he showered upon them 'kadyo-bodyo' and 'manna'. 'Kadyo-bodyo' are > made from pure sugar and cause diabetes, cavities, high blood pressure and > tongue discoloration. 'Manna' is slices of the tapioca root deep fried. It > is tasteless. If you really want to taste friend root, eat potato chips or > try 'capam' that are available with roadside 'boje' sellers. Keep in mind > 'boje' or 'bhoje' or 'bhojin' is Goan. 'Bhajias' are non-Goan and consists > of only onions in a batter - which also is a root. > > Coming to your question.... > > Goenchin is a Chinese restaurant in Panjim. It is owned by the Kenis. The > same family that owns Hotel Mandovi, A Pasteleria, Keni's Hotel, Keni's > Petrol Pump and Keni Rogers. In 1943 when Hotel Mandovi was being built the > architect was an American Jew named Ismail Knofler from a town named Havin > in Texas. Now this Ismail was known to be quite a character. "You can call > me Ismail" he used to roar after drinking at a local bar named 'Mitzvah'. > He was also an excellent cook. > > After Hotel Mandovi was built Ismail was given charge of the restaurant. He > introduced a dish named 'Manna from Havin' which was a hot spicy dish with > tapioca as the base (according to local rumours Eric Clapton attempted this > dish and was inspired to tears in Havin). All other dishes at the > restaurant were quite acceptable but not this particular dish. One day the > Kenis called for a meeting with Ismail. "Ismail" said Gajja Keni, the head > of the family, "we would like you to build us a Chinese Restaurant". > "Hokay!" said Ismail. > > So Goenchin was built and the Ismail tried fobbing off his 'Manna from > Havin" dish on unsuspecting customers. Slowly the news spread and everyone > knew that it was a dish best avoided. They started calling it > 'Goenchimanna" in hushed whispers, specially when children were around. > That's how the phrase 'goenchimanna' came into existence. It is a word used > to discretely say something is distasteful. Eg. "Lawrence goes on and on > about his goenchimanna book that has more reviewers than buyers!" > > Since then 'manna' has been celebrated in song, dance and movies. Just > recently there was a a Sanjay Dutt starrer named "Manna Bhai MBBS". We also > have the Hollywood comedy 'Throw Manna from the Train". There is a a > popular TV serial named "Manna ya na manna". Our very own Remo composed a > hit song "O Meri Manna". > > Cdez - a nice week! > We zen iced cake! > > Which are both anagrams for "Candice Ezekwe" > > Cheers! > > Cecil > ======== > > > ########################################################################## > # 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 # > ########################################################################## ########################################################################## # 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 # ##########################################################################