For folks who have not seen this before!
Hidden Gems
Review of Twilight of the Exiles
by Cyprian Fernandes
Cyprian Fernandes, a well-known
writer and popular journalist, is a Kenya-born, ex-Nairobi Goan, who now
resides in Sydney, Australia. The author of the much acclaimed, Stars Next Door,
which captured the stories of the sports stars within the East African Goan
community of his generation. Yesterday in Paradise, was another personal
and historical account of life in East Africa of members of the Goan community who
lived there. Yesterday at the Nation, provides more accounts from the
days the author first worked as a sports journalist at the Kenya-based
newspaper. His latest book, Twilight of the Exiles, comprises some forty-one
stories written by migrants who are all originally from Goa, a small Portuguese
enclave on the West coast of India on the Arabian Sea, but most of whom were
forced to leave Africa and relocate elsewhere.
In this latest contribution by
Fernandes, to document the stories of members of the Goan diaspora and in
particular of his generation provides some accounts in first person, others in
the form of obituaries of dearly departed friends and family, some in the
author’s own articulate words. Somehow
these compelling accounts draw you in and you find yourself lost in time and
space through the fascinating stories that are told. Somehow, the connections
are there, people, who will inspire, you will admire and more importantly you
will enjoy reading about. Whilst it is far too difficult to single stories out,
as each one is powerful in its own way, on a personal level, the story of Meldrita
(p.9), her love of sport and sheer athletic skills and dedication. Augmented
with photographs of the young woman in action, triumphant and then later on in
her life, are a testament to this era. Strong, resilient and determined. As
well as, The Longest Honeymoon, by the late Elsie Maciel, (p. 197), who
I was privileged to have met. This is a beautiful account of her early life in
Kenya as a newlywed to the much-loved and well-known author, Mervyn Maciel. You
don’t have to dig too deep for hidden gems in this volume, figures such as Edna Monteiro nèe Fernandes, (p.212), and I did
enjoy the contribution by Denis Andrew, A Priest on the Run, (p.275), on
his love for running and his account of running the Dili marathon, in Timor
Leste, where I had lived for some years.
This group, which in many ways is
a relatively small community, evolved in a close-knit way, first in East
Africa, and has now become a burgeoning successful migrant community spread
across the globe. This attractive, well-laid-out volume brings together a blend
of first and sometimes second-person accounts of those people whose lives are a
representation of a transformation from a comfortable life in East Africa, thrust into an often unwelcoming and uncertain
future of fragmentation and not to mention their loss of livelihoods, businesses and professional status with many
having to gain new skills, retrain and adapt
to and survive on relatively little, in the initially largely hostile wider
diasporas of Australia, Canada, UK, elsewhere and in some cases Goa.
This style of representing individuals challenges the stereotypical
views of migrants and refugees, towards gender, race and class and is helpful
for those studying into the history of the diaspora. The text is augmented by
photographs that many will find an affinity to, including the classics such as
weddings, family portraits, tournament sports teams and school photos as well
as individual private photographs that capture a range of events, faces and
names that seem distantly familiar to you as well as the unknown community heroes
and heroines of their time. A welcome
move away from an anachronistic style of history, traditionally about kings and
queens, ie. elite members of society, the text borders into the domain of
social history bringing a rich texture to historical narrative. Fernandes
attempts to document these accounts through the words and pictures of the
individuals themselves. In a community not particularly well known for their
business acumen or political enterprise this volume shows otherwise by
recording those from all walks of life. Contributions
to the volume expose the political, social and cultural nuances of the time. Their
schools, churches, pastimes and social lives were woven into the political
milieu of the period. Many migrated to
Canada, the UK, and Australia, some returned to the land of their ancestors,
Goa, or to other places in India, the Gulf States or Portugal.
The introductory dedication to the volume by Fernandes, enhances
the book insightfully, using the indigenous words for terms that invoke nostalgia
for his readers/ contributors. In including his account and experiences Fernandes
adds so much to the text and context. He also adds that memories span his
generation and that of his own parents too. Interestingly, he muses, Nostalgia
binds us all and memory and nostalgia are stepmothers of a kind.
Whilst heavily influenced by those with sporting prowess a familiar
area to the author who was a well-known and respected journalist in the area of
sport which was coincidently
a centrifugal force in community building. A common social
activity bringing the youth of the community together body, mind and soul. The
stories are based on sports such as football, hockey, cricket and athletics.
The inclusion of information on Goan clubs, in a chapter by
the author on, The Goan Clubs and Goan Culture is most welcome as these institutions
were pivotal to social and cultural life and cohesion at the time. However, an explanation
of some of the reasons and rationales behind these clubs would provide some
background as to why they are sometimes referred to contentiously. For example,
the excellent contribution by the author on some of these reasons for the
neglect of the ‘mother tongue’ of this particular community, Konkani,
is an invaluable one.
The text is augmented by photographs that many will find an
affinity to, the classics such as weddings, family portraits, tournament sports
teams and school photos as well as individual photographs that capture a range
of familiar and unknown community heroes and heroines of their time. Work, social, religious, and cultural activities
are included, however, are largely neglected here. Though this is probably not
the fault of the author, rather than those who have bravely chosen to share their
stories? Based on their memories these contributors should be commended for the
inspiration they provide as role models. The glamour as well as the terror,
sadness poverty and hardship can be gleaned from the text which also reflects
the courage and adaptability of these people whose lives tell a story of how a
community shaped our understanding of community, identity and diaspora. Several
contributors such as that by Armand Rodrigues, (pp. 250-267), give a vivid and
enriching account of his experiences of Goan culture and society and his interactions
with his memories of Goa which adds to the historic richness of the volume.
These stories are a treasure trove since many from this
community have passed away with their stories untold leaving a gap in our
knowledge of community history and for historians attempting to compile any
contextual analysis. Hopefully, it will serve to encourage others to share
their stories of this disappearing community before it’s too late.
The addition of stories from other communities with connections
to Goans, their acquaintances and spouses adds a dimension to the book as well
as includes some well-known and prominent figures of influence in the
community. The intricate web of the lives of this generation helps us to gain a
sense of perspective of a remarkably resilient, outward-looking and yet close-knit
community.
The book is a resource for those compiling family histories,
researchers and anyone interested in learning from and about the life histories
of a migrant community that has moved across at least two and in some cases
three continents. Although relying on memories or memoirs is often considered
an unreliable source for researchers themselves, they can be used to reinforce
other evidence and add context to a community with a hidden story. More
importantly, these accounts can provide a sense of continuity and heritage for
future generations to be proud of. I can almost hear the voices of this
generation say, “How quickly did our lives become history?” I can only
reiterate that history is about the present, just as much as it is about the
past. Here, Fernandes has provided an opportunity for the voices of those often
unheard. This collection of hidden
legends is a valuable and welcome one and hopefully this is just the start.
Shirley Gonsalves
Tivimkar@gmail.com
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