Just a few replies to Gilbert's excellent questions.
The questions were originally asked of Fred but since he has not answered I
am taking the liberty. Also Fred lives in Saligao, which despite a veneer
of advancement still has a lot of caste discrimination among the Catholics.
This is mostly because of the large number of East African Goans who
brought their prejudices back with them, when in Goa itself these same
caste prejudices were on their way out.
Now to Gilbert's questions:
-------
Gilbert:
1. Is "Mharvaddo", a defined region / area in the village as we have in the
west "the other side of the tracks"?
Cecil:
It used to be. But that has changed with property being a prized commodity
and real estate values going through the roof. It has as much meaning today
as say assuming only Naiks stay in Naikawado or Gaunkars in Gaunsavaddo or
Brahmins in Bamonvaddo. Besides Fred's assertion of a Mharvado in every
(dominantly Catholic?) village is also highly suspect.
-----
Gilbert
2. In your village of Saligao how many residents (%) are there in "Mharvaddo"?
Cecil:
In your village/town how many residents (%) are there on "the other side of
the tracks"?
-----
Gilbert:
3. Thanks for mentioning they are not a religious outcaste. i.e. they can
kneel anywhere in the Church.
Cecil:
No they cannot. The altar table and beyond; the pulpit; and many such
places in the church are off-limits for them and all other church goers for
purpose of kneeling.
----
Gilbert:
4. You mentioned about their social outcaste status. Did you ever invite
them to your personal social functions including your wedding or your
child's baptism etc?
Cecil:
How many children from the ghetto on the other side of the tracks did you
invite for your daughter's wedding?
-----
Gilbert:
5. I am sure you also invited them for one of the many social functions you
have in you home through the year, where they can intermingle with your
family and the other members of the community, and are no longer a social
outcaste.
Cecil:
Ditto! Gilbert please mention to us how many times you have invited
strangers over to your house? And before you ask the obvious I will tell
you. I have had people of all classes and castes and religions over to my
house for personal and family functions. Because they are my friends and
not because of any attempt to build any bridges or score petty social points.
------
Gilbert:
6. If the answer to 4 and 5 is yes, what was the reaction of the other guests?
Cecil:
What 'other' guests? By this question you are assuming that the majority of
the guests were of some privileged caste and are able to identify those who
are not of their caste. This is ridiculous. The few (high) caste conscious
Goan Catholics socialise and procreate among their own and hence there is
no question of gauging 'their' reaction. They are not invited for normal
functions. And who cares what they think anyway?
------------
Gilbert:
7. If a resident of Mharvaddo, Saligao goes to Panaji, Margao or Maphsa,
would his social status be recognized from his name?
Cecil:
Interesting question. Fred seems to be of the opinion that given a person's
surname and 'original' village it is possible to tell his caste. I don't
have access to that surname/ village / caste list but obviously there are
people like Fred who are in the know on these matters. But in answer to
your question... his, or anyone's, 'social status' (as different from
caste) will be obvious from his behavior and outward appearance (dress,
vehicle, where he eats) and not from his name or surname. For example I
dare not enter Barista where a simple coffee is upwards of Rs. 45/- and
would prefer to have a filter coffee at Cafe Bhonsle for Rs. 5/-. And I
wear 'aid' shirts purchased from the roadside and ride a 15 year old van.
From this my social status is clearly lower-middle-class. But my friend
the builder Joaquim Fernandes drives an Opel Astra, wears Luis Phillipe
shirts and has coffee every evening at Barista with his mistress. He is
definitely upper class. What is his caste? How the hell do I know? And who
cares anyway?
----
Cheers!
Cecil
=======
