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| Domnic Fernandes continues (Part II) his reminiscence of |
| Mapusa of the 1950s |
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| http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=426 |
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Hi Fred
I am glad you pursued, albeit in a small way, the reasons for emigration
from Goa. There really is a PhD project for someone who may wish to follow a
significant original line of inquiry into this issue and take us beyond the
valuable chapters in books that I know, like those edited by Teotonio.
Whilst taking on board the many reasons for emigration that you provided,
for some time I have been keen to know the specific reasons for the periodic
rates of emigration, the patterns, and from where most emigration took
place. One thought I have had relates to the geography of Goa. Salcete was
more fertile than hillier Bardez. This may have generated a stronger exodus
in Bardez as fewer people, in toto, could perhaps subsit on Bardez land.
As to English schools in Bardez providing mobility, of course, I am inclined
to agree with you. However, I'd like to know if the quest for emigration
provided the impetus for English medium schools in Bardez or whether it was
the English medium schools which fostered emigration. I wonder which came
first?
In a nutshell, I have a hunch (but accept that I could be completely wrong)
that, larger Salcete with a relatively small population, had plentiful
well-watered fertile land and a long productive fishing coastline, crucially
not to 'force' people out as a matter of some urgency. In contrast, smaller
Bardez was less fertile for agricultural subsistence and perhaps for this
reason, the people there had to be more outward looking/seeking than people
in Salcete. Secondly, that the institutions like English medium schools in
Bardez were the acute outcome of the above realisation among its people.
In both cases however, lack of occupational opportunity was a common factor
resulting in emigration but with some significant variations inclusive of
land ownership and control.
One other factor was perhaps the proximity of Marmagoa harbour to Bardez
which made it easier for men to find work on ships, travel abroad and even
jump ship in foreign lands.
I find this issue quite fascinating and hope others will join in this
discussion. There is so much re this theme that we know rather little about.
Cornel
----- Original Message -----
From: "Frederick Noronha" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <goanet@goanet.org>
Sent: Monday, April 03, 2006 2:02 PM
Subject: [Goanet] Re: Re: How much emigration of the well to do took
placefromGoa?
Hi Cornel, As usual, you raise interesting and important issues. It's
crucial for the Goan community to understand its past and its
peculiarities, if it wishes to go ahead in the 21st century, rather
than always live looking over its shoulder ..
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