Feast of St Michael has been instrumental in preserving and strengthening the bonds of Communidades in Goa
VITO GOMES
In the “Historical and Archaeological Sketch of the City of Goa” by José Nicolau da Fonseca I came across a fascinating account of the history of Goa which has a bearing with the land governance of today.
As recounted by the author, when Affonso de Albuquerque conquered Goa in 1510, there was a special land division existing where people were divided into village communities and enjoyed special rights and privileges. Albuquerque retained their time honoured traditions instead of destroying them. He chose to continue the constitution of these communities or impose further taxes like other Muslim rulers. This was listed in a register called “ Foral de Usos e Constumes”, which detailed the peculiar usage and customs of the communities, and the privileges enjoyed by them from time immemorial. This register served as a guide-book to subsequent rulers.
However, as time progressed, the communities were burdened with additional taxes and restrictions. In the 17th century, Goa was attacked by neighbouring rulers and the communities had to fund the defence of the State at the behest of the Government. This meant that the original land holdings had to be diluted. Thus, arose the class of “cuntocares” or “interessados” who were the people who bought the shares to the land and were outside of the original communities. About the same time several other changes in the form of regulations were made in the administration of the communities called “Regimento das Communidades”. The Government appointed an administrator through whom the funding was controlled. Even a small sum could not be spent by the Communidade without the sanction of the government. Contributions to the parish church as well as funds for construction and repairs of it were decided by the Government. The office bearers of the village Communidade constituted the president, attorney, treasurer and the clerk.
Historically, areas such as Taleigao has been well known for its farming and contribution to agriculture. Today, most of the fields are left fallow due to various issues and needs support from the Government to again revive the agriculture.
It may be noted that Taleigao encompasses three parishes, namely the villages of Durgawadi, St Inez and Panaji whose respective patron saints are – S.Miguel Arcanjo, S.Ta Inez and N.Sra da Conceicao.
The name ‘Taleigao’ is either the word Tala e gamv, indicates that the village is flat or low, or the word thor-gamv, meaning that it was big.
The Communidade consist of Gauncares who are members of the families which originally constituted the communidade, an agrarian village society which functioned as an institution of self-governance and its shareholders. The ancient system of administration lands, held collectively through a common absolute ownership, that had come to be inherited by our ancestors and was referred to as ‘Gaunkars’, are the present day Communidades as existing in the State of Goa.
The Taleigao Gaunkars comprise of nine families as of today, namely Mendonce, Viegas, Martins, Luis, Gomes, Faria, Almeida, Falcao and Abreu. These nine families in rotation every year take turns to solemnize the feast of St Michael. This year the Gomes family is the main celebrant of the feast.
It will follow the tradition where the Vicar will go in procession with the congregation to cut the sheaves of grain in the field. After the blessing, they will proceed to the church for the high mass, on August 21. The next day, ‘fovo’ will be distributed to the Gaunkars. Finally on August 24, new paddy will be offered at the main altar of the Cathedral of old Goa followed with the Gaunkars of nine families and four committee members will proceed to present to the Bishop and the Governor.
This ceremony is documented in the book by Fonseca and Taleigao has been referenced by Foral, XLV in the following terms, “the village of Taleigao has a pre-eminence that it will be the first one to start mowing the rice and its Gaunkars will come every year with sheaf of it to present it before the high altar of the Cathedral.”
In the past the event used to celebrated in Communidade hall, which was built with communidade funds and inaugurated on August 21 1961 by the erstwhile Governor General Manuel Antonio Vassalo E Silva. It was hosted by the Mendonca family and celebrated in style with lunch followed by teatro. In 1963 the Panchayat system of governance was introduced bypassing the traditional system.
(The writer is an aviation sector entrepreneur and belongs to one of
the families of Taleigao Gaunkars)
