Canada has become home of a growing number of Goans. This anthology captures their stories, fiction and non-fiction, and reminiscences. First published in Canada, Goa Masala is an initiative of the 55 Plus Goan Association.
The Goan imagination crosses many international boundaries; migrationhas been a strong reality here. Now, books reflecting this diverse reality are making their way back to Goa, and increasingly connecting the the far-flung diaspora from this region too. Canada-based writer Ben Antao, a former Navhind Times and Indian Express journalist who worked here in the 1960s, said the limited edition of 300 copies got sold out on the release day itself!
Goa Masala contains about 40 stories, most of them written by Goans who have settled in Canada after spending years in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania in East Africa, in Rangoon, Myanmar, and elsewhere. Their memoirs range from an elephant hunt in Tanzania to the removal of evil eye (disht), to arranged marriages and snakes. 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.
Canada-based Xavier Sequeira transports you to another era. To quite another world in the southern highlands of central East Africa, and hunting elephants there. Other essays and short-stories include ones with titles like: Baba puta, The Landlord’s Son, Neighbours’ Quarrels, The Arranged Marriage, Golden Memories: Kenya, Finding a Bride, Elephant Hunt in Tanzania…
