"Africa changes you forever
like nowhere on earth.
Once you have been there, you
will never be the same.
But how do you begin to describe
its magic to someone
who has never felt it ?" –
Anon.
Mervyn
Maciel, Bwana Karani, and From Mtoto to Mzee: "I'm
afraid Ben Antao's rather flippant comments on East African Goans have stirred
up a hornet's nest. Perhaps that was his intention.
How can one who has never lived
in East Africa, savoured the beauty of this "God's own country"
or met some of its wonderful people know just how we, seasoned East African
Goans feel?
Speaking personally, I feel
Cyprian Fernandes could not have chosen a more appropriate
title for his book. Kenya was
indeed a paradise for those of us who were born and lived
in that beautiful country. How
can we ever forget the wonderful lives we had or the wonderful people that came
our way? And what's wrong about reminiscing about those glorious times?
And again, speaking personally,
I still can't shake the African dust off my feet and
long may this be so. I am hardly
qualified to comment on Goans in Toronto not writing about Canada - but can I
just say that while my good friend, Mel D'Souza of Bampton (Ontario) may not
have written a book on the subject, he has written extensively in
magazines praising his adopted homeland.
He loved and still loves the
country so much so that he was welcomed with open arms in
Newfoundland and made to feel
like one of them, even buying a property there in the
bargain.
Long may Kenya and East Africa
remain in our hearts."
BRAZ MENEZES: I must admit that when
I first saw Selma’s excerpt of Ben Antao I was a bit disappointed that what
appeared to be a serious journalistic undertaking, was beginning to resort to
‘shock’ headlines to increase readership. I succumbed and clicked on
Ben’s piece. I assumed perhaps, like many of us Ben may have skipped on his meds.
Then my seasonal good
friends Augusto and Jeanne also joined with their comments. It is not clear
whether Ben’s original comments referred to the Goan Diaspora in the UK,
Canada, Australia (by dragging Cyprian Fernandes into the discussion). If Ben
is referring only to Goan Canadian writers, then I will have no hesitation
returning to this discussion. For now, I will comment that the best advice to
writers has always been to write what you know about, and as long as you have
an audience, your work is done.
HCF: Cool Down under and relax. I’m glad you have decided not to reply
or say anything about what he has written ABOUT YOU. And I fully support your
wise decision.
I have come to the conclusion that he is very disappointed as he
failed to get a favorable response with his Goa Masala. He has
figured out that your books have received very good reviews. and are
much talked about in the Goan circles.
.Grapes are sour and typical Goan mentality, nothing new.
Hope you are keeping well as we are over here.
John J. D’Souza: I responded to Ben saying that I had no
qualms on what he wrote - whether I liked it or not is a different shauri (matter). He I suppose, enjoys
"first amendment " rights as we all do.
Also
when one parades on the street, the stage, or in print, there are urchins who
comment on the emperors clothes or the lack there of. That is the deal.
Where
I do draw the line is when others try to write about us, knowing f-all. Some
years ago someone tried to do this and imagined herself a literary genius.
I
wrote a private commentary to a noted commentator saying the work was
"pooch -pochit" as we say in Konkani. These too were the
conclusions reached when I met a few Goan African Mzees at some events
here. My private commentary was hung out on the net and the author in
question felt aggrieved and went crying to mama.
I
do not wish to enter the foray on Goa Books where all the so-called writers
indulge in preening each other’s feathers.
About
our time in Africa - they have to be remembered, particularly on what happened
last year in Charlottesville.
There
was a racial hierarchy in Kenya, which we took within our stride, and felt
comfortable within our skins. Even here in the west, we know what is
expected of us, whether we choose to act or not.
Diana
Astrid Fernandes: Ben Antao
is off base with his criticism. How does one even begin to explain
why we look back on our time in EA as Paradise? Folks whose only
benchmarks are their lives in Goa/India and now in the western world cannot be
faulted for not understanding.
We did not have
much in the way of material possessions but our lives in EA was the total sum
of so many, many tangible and intangible facets and nuances – the beautiful
country (Africa is indeed magical), near-perfect climate, carefree youth,
community closeness, easy pace of living and lifestyle (stress was foreign to
us), the trust and respect accorded to Goans, enjoyable and active sporting and
social lives, rewarding professional lives, etc. Our parents paved the
way with grit and hard work and our generation was blessed to have it
all. We were in the right place at the right time.
At the end of the
day, we were so very blessed to have lived in EA at the time we did. Now
we are further blessed to be living in the countries we have chosen as our new
homes. That said, our hearts are a little heavy for our kids and
grandkids - though they have much, much more than we did in the way of education,
jobs and material things, they will never live the life we had. Our
time in East Africa was interesting, unique, exotic and unforgettable!
Juliet Rebello: Yes I was taken aback by
what he mentioned about you and even said so to our mutual friend John
D'Souza. I knew that this would be brought to your eyes soon enough.
I responded to him immediately as you will see. Very briefly I tried to
put into words why we from East Africa cannot forget the good life we enjoyed
in the land of our birth.
Oddly
enough I am currently reading Braz Menezes' book Among the Jacaranda and
he notes how when he went abroad to the UK to study one of his English mates Nigel,
who was born in Kenya expressed the beauty of Kenya and all the adventures it
offered. In another snippet Braz mentions how when he and Nigel were on
their hitch hiking tour they stumble into a party of a Greek Spyros who was
born in Tanganyika, Spyros tells the two men how he has never stopped dreaming
of returning to Africa.
So
this shows us that those born there cannot forget the land of our birth even if
it dealt us a cruel hand which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Some of
my Goan friends from India always say that we from East Africa have a
"different" view - that we feel we are more superior. It is difficult
to express to those concerned what a gift it was to be born and brought up in
East Africa at that time.
AA: Skip
please do not be dragged in this most unprofessional nonsense. If
people have not experienced our living moments and life experiences they have
no right to comment. Every person’s opinion about their lives should be
respected.
Ignore this devil which is very
hard to do and rise above his criticism. You do not have to justify what
you believe in. Do not waste a moment of your precious time. Everyone can
comment if they want. It's not a review. Lt is provocative action. IGNORE
I
really love everyone's comments and value them .We have so many varied and
cherished memories of countries we lived in and should not let a guy who
has not had a living experience of Kenya comment about that. L think you should
totally ignore him. You have better things to do. Lt’s human to retaliate but
cool down and let HIM find another way of selling his books. Don't play into
his hands. When we are next in Goa call him to a meeting. Good chance to
annihilate him. (With words l meant.)
Don't waste any of
your valuable time to stoop to his level. L am taken aback to hear another
Comment about your
work in that manner. Great you brought that to our attention.
And bleep bleep. And
BLEEP.
MD: How
dare he chastise us for cherishing our past!!!.
The happiest times of MY LIFE
were in East Africa, though hard, but that is what made many of us today!!
One of my other ex-Kenyan
friends was also outraged, stating that B. Antao has not even stepped on East
African soil to know about our life there, while we have experienced life in
Goa, India generally & East Africa!!
He doesn't even sing
any praises of his own "home land" !! So Ben hang up your kastee!
A VERY HAPPY HAPREE!
CPP: I think we should all hold hands and sing
Kumbya
Someone's
cryin', Lord, kumbaya
Someone's cryin', Lord, kumbaya
Someone's cryin', Lord, kumbaya
Oh, Lord, kumbaya (oh, Lord, kumbaya)…
Someone's cryin', Lord, kumbaya
Someone's cryin', Lord, kumbaya
Oh, Lord, kumbaya (oh, Lord, kumbaya)…
EF: Not worth responding to this self-advertising
so-called writer.... Don't waste your time Skip; you already have a respected
readership.... And you know your work is good.
Also he seems astounded and astonished a lot!!!
The
more I read the article the angrier I get. Who is this B. Antao to criticize
our memories and experiences in the land which defined who we all are? We
all love Africa: our memories are
special and singularly memorable for each one of us.
Cyprian
you have done a sterling job relating your exciting life in Kenya up to the
time you had to leave and further. The truth prevails, but doesn't take
away the amazing life you had.
I
do believe he is look for an argument to sell the 500 books he got stuck with -
and is unable to publish successfully, or sell successfully.
As
Mark said, Eva you cannot keep quiet, you have to say something - respond to
him directly, with no permission for him to publish my response. This guy
is obviously jealous of our experience and chooses to demean it, rather than
celebrate it. Which successful author criticizes another author in order
to promote their own work? A lousy author.
We
also have wonderful experiences in Australia as I am sure the Canadians,
American, English and all the Goan Diaspora wherever they have settled.
That is the nature of the Goans, we adopt our countries and adapt so wonderfully
without losing our identity.
Now
I feel better getting that off my chest!!!
HH: How dare
he? I wouldn't bother to respond to him - Grapes are sour me thinks! We
all know what a fantastic writer you are so he doesn't deserve a
response.
EUGENE
CORREIA: I
was to reply earlier and provide reference to Mervyn's book, Bwana Karani, and
also to JM Nazareth's Brown Man, Black
Country. To some Goa is heaven, so be it. Having read Uhuru Street, MJ Vassanji's short
stories about life in Mombasa, and many other books, besides seeing the movie,
Mississippi Masala, by the American-Indian Mira Nair, who lived for a long time
in Uganda from her adopted homeland, USA.
In the movie, the main character
says that he would like to return to Uganda which he considers his
"home". However, his African friend reminds him that Uganda may be in
his heart and he loves living there but the land belongs to the Africans. He
must go now as the time has come for Africans to take back what belongs to
them. Such sentiment also lies with African Goans. My uncle always talked about
Uganda which he left unwillingly because of the deportation order by Idi Amin.
For Cyprian, Kenya was
undoubtedly "paradise". The land doesn't have to be a natural
paradise (Adam and Eve is said to have lived in one such place, though we will
never know). Mervyn has mentioned Braz and Mel, and I would add the late Ladis
da Silva, who wrote about his Zanzibar. Nostalgia for a place where one
has seen the best of his or her days is something that cannot be taken away,
and the only thing that's best to do is to express it in words.
I have some questions about the
book, Goa Masala. The book is said to
be a joint venture by 55 Plus Goan Association and A Plus Publishing, which is allegedly
owned by Ben, as I am told. Each contributor was given a complimentary copy and
the rest of the 300 copies were sold on the very first day.
The Goa edition was published by
Goa, 1556, owned by Fred Noronha, and A Publishing. So, understandably 55 Plus
was not involved and may we know if permission from the association was
obtained, as it should normally be. Ben writes he paid for the printing of the
Goa issue, but may I know why? Doesn't the publisher print to make profits and
from which 55 Plus should he have got royalty. What was the arrangement between
55 Plus and A Plus?
The Association has an editorial
board, as per its website, and the names are given of those who served on it at
that time. It's also said that "The
project was undertaken by Rudi Rodrigues, leader of the 55PGA Book Club, an
artist and art designer, who was assisted by an editorial team of Ben Antao,
Alick Alphonso, Joan do Rosario, Eric De Souza, and Al Lobo."
I think I was a member of the 55
Plus at that time, but I never heard of the book club. I didn't know about it
till now. Perhaps, 55 Book Club should join the Goa Book Club! The price of the
book on Amazon is Cdn $78.05, and available in two formats, print and Kindle.
The Goa edition is priced Rs 195. Just curious to know how many books were
sold on Amazon and who got the royalties? Why did Ben pay for the book to be
published in Goa?
Since the second one could not
be published because of lack of quality pieces, I cannot understand why the
editors didn't edit the articles and, if needed, get further input from the
writers to bring up its quality. The editors were said to be Rudi Rodrigues and
Norman da Costa. No mention of who the rest were on the editorial board. Was
there any condition that a published writer would have to purchase 10 copies,
as alleged by some?
Eugene Correia
Steve Pereira: I can understand a bit of perplexity about Ben Antao’s article. He seems to have unfairly focused on you to make a larger point.
He argument seems to be that Goan writers from East Africa are not critically engaged with the social and political context of either their time in Africa or their current place in the diaspora. It might be a valid argument but he offers no real evidence to back it up other than with a very superficial focus on Yesterday in Paradise.
It is a very broad and sweeping statement to make and I’m surprised and a little alarmed that a journal that claims to be literary would publish the article without appropriate fact checking and editorial control. His whole argument is based on a couple of anecdotal instances that really have little merit.
As someone who has not lived in Africa or been part of the very particular and unique experience of being a Goan in colonial Africa, Antao is very cavalier in his dismissal of that experience as being a purely nostalgia driven exercise. He has no business doing that. Nobody is claiming that experience as the definitive Goan experience. It is a recounting of a particular time, in a particular place, of a particular experience. It is a story that needs to be told. And clearly there is an audience for it. He himself notes that Goan Masala sold out.
Antao’s main issue, it seems to me is that he feels that he is in a minority in the Toronto Goan community because he is not from East Africa. He blames the East African Goans for the fact that he can’t find Goan writers from other sectors of the diaspora. That Is hardly fair and begs the question: is he looking in the right places?
Regards
Steve R. E. Pereira
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