Goan Literature Goa Down The Ages New history book on Goa BOOK REVIEW GOA -- ROTEIRO THE author is the founder and till recently was the director of the Xavier Centre for Historical Research, Porvorim, Goa. At present, he is one of the best known scholars doing research on Goa's history, with more than a dozen books to his credit and also well over one hundred papers and articles published at home and abroad. Recently, he has settled in Portugal and has opted to 'regain' his Portuguese nationality. This Roteiro or historical and cultural guide gives a concise view of some of the important historical landmarks of the last few centuries, after tracing Goa's past to our pre-history. The book is divided into three parts -- socio-cultural introduction, a guide for six visits and the documental appendix. Teotonio R de Souza portrays the territory's past and present with an in-depth account of the main facets of Goan life. He discusses the enrichment of Goa's heritage, the cultural evolution, the age-old communidades, Inquisition, temples and churches; and, very prominently, focuses on the ecological degradation facing the state. There is also a reference to the traditions and roots so dear to the people of this place. And, of course, without forgetting agriculture. The author, who holds several degrees, including a doctorate in history from Poona University, has made a frank reference to the Christianisation of this part of India without betraying his professional conscience. The pressures of the earlier evangelisation of the natives have not been ignored. He refers to the compulsions which had led to the installation of several deities in the 'Novas Conquistas' from the 'Velhas'. The former Jesuit talks about the 'mertirio' of Cuncolim and in the same context refers to the more recent crisis-management effected by the patriarch in that same village. The documentation and the sources the author introduces, as will as relies upon, are extensive. Yet, the objective behind his writing the book is merely to make of it some sort of gateway to the immense wealth of material available. The treatment of the subject-matter is brief but precise; and the language used, in standard Portuguese, is straight forward. The book is full of maps, charts, diagrams and photographs. Unfortunately, the photo of the main building of Goa University makes it look even more ugly than it is. But Goa is not only history. The historian takes stock of our geography and does so without losing his thoughts. Goa's borders, the old and the new conquests, our peaks and rivers are all along the Roteiro. But it is the Goan people who have been placed centre-stage. The historian speaks of the Corumbins or Cunbis and the sociologist and anthropologist in him take the reader through the singing of the 'bailadeiras'. Teotonio R de Souza does not miss highlighting the most important fact about one of India's tiniest communities, namely that Goans have maintained intact the brotherly ties among all communities. Unnecessarily, however, the writer choses to introduce a vocabulary of Konkani words with the Portuguese rendering. The attention given to the same contrasts with the otherwise rigorous methodology followed throughout the rest of the book. An excellent little book indeed. The Roteiro should prove to be of utility to all and not to students of history alone. A translation in English by the author himself is welcome. Review by Vasco Pinho The Navhind Times |