Goan Memories of Africa past

 

THE BEGINNING AND THE END FOR THE GOANS OF EAST AFRICA

 

I found this scrap of paper, obviously from a longer document. I thought you would find it interesting. I am indebted to the writer, most probably a Goan Zanzibari.

It should not be overlooked that before they brought their families, they initiated as to what to expect in East Africa. We should find some consolation that our ancestors and parents did agree, after listening to the tales of their husbands, to take their chances in the new country.

The arrival of the families meant that the number of the community had increased considerably. Our Goans are noted to be good organisers and, as there appeared a requisite need to find a meeting place for the families to gossip and share their ideas, joys and sorrows, they formed small clubs and institutes. In Zanzibar, we had the Goan Institute, and on special occasions and feast days, the Goans gathered in a rented place to dance, eat, and drink to the melodies of a Goan band.

As time went by, they collected sufficient funds in order to buy a suitable building that would be permanently theirs. Here they had a library, arranged indoor games concerts, socials, literary societies, and sports. This was the first Goan Institute. Later Goan Institutes would sprout up in the main cities throughout East Africa.

All this was a novelty to the other ethnic groups and it is small wonder they too slowly organised their own clubs.

Without warning came the revolution in Zanzibar on January 12, 1964, thus bringing to an end a long reign by the Omani Arab Sultanate. The revolution was so swift and quick there was no time for reprisal. And so the Asians, and with them the Goans, emigrated to the mainland. Most of them emigrated to Mombasa, Nairobi, and elsewhere in East Africa. Others went back to their homeland, Goa.

The wheel of destiny slowly turned and with it came changes all over East Africa. These were sparked by revolutions and rebellions from the armies and the people. They wanted their countries for themselves … “Africa for Africans” … they wanted all the amenities other ethnic groups had enjoyed, such as homes, cars, good food, clothes and, above all, jobs that foreigners had supposedly taken away from them.

 

It was the birth of Nationalism, Africanisation and self-determination for the natives of Africa.

The end of a beautiful dream … for some and the be