I would assume before pre-pre-eclceticity days it would of been: fish
oil or whale fat, gee, coconut oil, palm oil, bee's wax, nut oil, pine oil
Google (a start anyways):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_lamp
and:
http://orkut.google.com/c36570860-tb8d4f48f67729814.html
>>>
People from Saligao Goa
Ponti, petromax, alladin what’s common??? - 2 respostas.
Mark Anthony De Souza - 22 de maio de 2009 - denunciar abuso
Yes, you guessed right. They are all sources that emitted light in the
pre-electricity Goan era.
Ponti (small lamp)
Made of recycled tin/small cans/bottles that consist of rope wick,
treaded through a wick holder, mounted on tin/bottle base that stored
kerosene as fuel. Lit at dusk and was turned off just before a tuck into
bed. Every house possessed at least a couple of them. You just couldn’t
do without one. It was such a companion for night strolls or getting to
clandestine meetings in the narrow vaddo lanes, spotting and way
stepping creepy creatures in the path. Who has not with ponti light,
said the rosary, played hide n seek, cards, musical instruments,
partied, listened to the radio or just snoozed? The fumes mixed with the
kerosene smell was an antidote to mosses, flying bites and sometimes a
throat or eye irritation. The wick needed a trim nearly every day and
refilling of kerosene on regular basis. This is the humble ponti that
often held sway till dawn.
Petromax (Max lite lamp)
The king of light accessories, was made of mix metal (iron/steel/brass)
cylindrical fuel base, with a small pressure pump and valve that
alternated as fuel injection point, an inverted bulb type netting wick,
a small spindle wheel for brightness adjustment, glass strips arranged
upright in circular fashion, a spirit holder below the wick with an
opening for pouring spirit or striking a safety match. The contraption
was complete with an open top that held the fuel supply lines, assisted
air circulation and finished with a metal handle that allowed it to be
strung, hooked or just mounted. Spirit was used to get it going. It
isn’t elegant in looks but did light up the place well with its whitish
glow. Unfortunately it was also the cause of many accidents and burns.
Toppling over, bursting due to pressure, catching fire in strong breeze,
and heat generation making it too hot to touch were some of the safety
hazards. You needed to cool it down before storing for the next use.
Mark Anthony De Souza - 22 de maio de 2009 - denunciar abuso
Ponti, petromax.... cont -1
Petromax was used by commercial establishments, churches, temples, big
houses, fetes and for cultural activities. Petromax light in odd places
and hours was a sure pointer that something was happening or going on
and was a guided beam to full moon parties, local festivals, dances,
Konkani plays and marriage functions.
Alladin (Glass Chimney lamp)
Here was a chrome finished closed chalice with a glass chimney mounted
on the top. Elegant looking and the queen of lighting accessories. The
netting wick was placed upright like a bulb. It like the petromax had a
valve pump, inlet cum pressure release. Expensive compared to the
petromax was seen only in well to do homes. It could be carried safely
from room to room and sometime was placed on ring mounts hoisted to the
roof beam. The light from the alladin was enchanting and soothing. Feni
/whiskey/syrups glasses in hand and village gossip/discussions normally
took place round an alladin.
<<
--
Albert Peres
afpe...@3129.ca
416.660.0847 cell
---------------------
--- Frederick FN Noronha wrote ---
Thu Oct 1 12:45:26 PDT 2015
Subject:
Strange question : about the pontti...
This is a strange question: what fuel did the pontti (traditional Goan
lamp) use?
Thanks in advance. Had a doubt which I need to clarify... FN
