We Goans love our homeland. Sometimes the affection is so strong it borders on a Fixation or OCD (Please don’t say you haven’t heard of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – OCD). With the influx of tourists from all over India and all over the world too, we’ve become increasingly possessive of this piece of mother earth that we call Goa – our home? Our ancestors lived here and most of them are buried here. Yes, it’s true that many Goans migrated to different parts of India…and even around the world. Wherever we’ve gone we’ve carried with us our Goan culture. “Goenkarponn” has become something precious and cherished. We hold on to it like it’s the center of our identity.
Normally, that’s a good thing. To hold firmly to your culture and identity. But are we sometimes taking things too far? Do we, sometimes, acquire a fixation and turn this into a story about Us v/s Them? Goans v/s outsiders?
This Facebook Post by Colin Dcruz Bass Player and Music producer at Jazz Goa provides food for thought on this topic.
Pic Credit: https://www.facebook.com/colinbassman
When driving down Goa’s scenic roads, have you ever experienced what Colin experienced? Or perhaps his post was just a good-humored, tongue-in-cheek kinda jest. As a Goan? Or even as someone not a resident of Goa, what has your experience been? Can you share your views and comments here, or on our Facebook Page?
In this article by Goastreets.com, designer Wendell Rodricks says, ““Goa has always been touched by foreign cultures from ancient invasions till Portuguese colonization with each one of them contributing to Goa in good and bad ways. So we do need people who can contribute to Goan culture and life.” Do you agree or disagree with this idea?
Pic Credit: http://www.facebook.com/wendell.rodricks
Actually, the Konkani word “bhailem” meaning outsider, has been the topic of discussion as far back in Goa’s history as anyone can remember. The current influx of tourists (outsiders) is not a new concept to Goa. Historically speaking, Goa has experienced a number of waves of “globalization.” There were many invasions and occupations such as the Moghul/Islamic invasion, and later the Portuguese/Christian colonization, and most recently, annexation by India. Fortunately, Goa has absorbed all of it and integrated all of it, even the hippie culture of the 60’s and the more recent trend of electronic music and trance parties. It’s as if Goa keeps evolving. Keeps getting better and better. Do you agree? Or disagree and feel that Goans now have a fixation?
Please do share your views and comments here, or on our Facebook Page
On a final note, here’s an interesting Research Paper titled: From the Perspective of Musicians in Goa: How Has Tourism Changed Music Culture
