Glimpses of the Konkani Language at the Turn of the 16th Century - Vol 10

Prcf. f,. A. Redrlgucr Corrcsponding lfember of the

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SHilP$E$ 0F T]lE l(0ill(illl illlGllA0E

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Eragarge, No.142

Bactorii, Goa.

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X Socittl Institutions and Customs Konkani literary mine, left behind by the Portu. guese rnissionaries, as a by-product of their evangeliI zatian in Goa, in the sixtenth-seventeenth century, is inexhautible. For the last over five years, I have been digging it, and have already produced nine articles of this series covering some aspects of the vernacular language of this land, but my spade has not penetrated beyond its outer crust. Persons, equipped with better scholarship and methodology, more time and some money, will certainly explore fully this treasure, and bring forth

:|HE

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works of great value.

In the meanwhile, I am carrying on my modest contribu' tion. Here are a few specirnens of the large harvest :

F

1.. Caste

I

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systeno

1) "Zat"-Caste,

"Zati bhostt

zalo

t' caste ( lit. his caste was polluted ) Kilzat " es sudras,'artisans, etc.

2.

i

" Vorn "

-

-

" - He lost the Low caste

such

Group of caste tlf which there are four

:

8-which comprises Bratrnrins and priests ; " Khetri ', ( Khastryas ) who are warriors like " chardos " ; " Voishe t' (Vaishyas) vho are " banians " (traders) I "Sudr " (Shudras) who are toddy-tappers, kunbis, mahars ( bamboo craftsmen ) and leather workmen. " Bramh

",

3. " Bamgnnu " - Brahmin ; - " Bamonnit' Brahminee. " Cholo t' - $ep of Brahmin ; " Choli tt - DauShter of Brahmin. " Cholivont " - Brahmin having

a marriageable daugh-

ter.

The Brahmin caste formerly consisting of sages and mas. ters of the propagation of the superstition (idolatry ), is very clever with a sharp brain. The Brahmins of ancient custorn did not eat any dead animal, of feathers, aquatic or terrestrial, nor tasted the eggs of birds, blood or any thing of blood colour . they drank pure water and no wine, nor did they talk to a wine-' drinker or even enten into his house I when any cettle died of disease, a very low caste man, taffed mhar, was called, and asked to carry the dead animal very far where he could enjoy its meat; they ( Brahmins ) abominated the persons of this caste, and avoided their encounter on the roads; they did not use skins for clothes nor for sandals; the Brahmin women, bereaved of husbands and surviving them, rarely re.rAarry, but they shave the head and serve the femilies of their relatives.

" Bhott " - Priest ef false gods, belonging to a proeminent

clste of Brahmins.

" Shennoi " - Master who teaches to read and write, belonging to a special caste of Brahmins who, thanks to their sharp brein, being more pefpicacious than other6, recorcl in writing the immovable landed properties of each one, and the inhabitants are governed according to the books of these scribes.

{

--9 "

Upodo r'

" Somrut " -

A caste of

H

indu priests.

A caste of Brahmins. ( Smarta-Shivait caste of Brahmins w h o use horizontal ash mark on forehead.

-' Smarta " derives from " Smriti ", i.e. tradition ),

4.

" Khetri " ( Kshatriyas ), " chardos rr - 1rysJ1i6rs, who are indeed energetic but not unhuman. It seems they are somewhat coarser in nature and customs ; they eat meat and fish till today as they did in olden times ; they are prone to arms, but are

little or not at all fond of letters. Their women are busy rvith ,

domestic affairs and in this sense they excell Brahmin wcmen ; they too rarely re.marry, as almost all Indian women follow strictly this custorn.

" Cheddo"

-

Son of Chardo or Sudra.

" Jhilu " - $6n of Brahmin or Kshatriya. " JhiJi Daughter of Brahmin or Kshatriya.

"-

" Morattho " - Hindu-speaking Marathi language.

5. "Voishe" (Vaishyas), "Banians, Vanians"- A foreign caste of traders, being engaged in the study of trade and properties, deal in the sale and purchase of goods.

6. " Sudr " - Man of Sudra caste - r' Sudirni " Woman of Sudra caste. " Sudrlok " - People of Sudra caste.

This caste comprises servants, palm climbers, wine vendors,

fishermen,- artisans, porters, cloth-fullers, rvashermen, bamboo .craftsmen, leather workmen, etc., who inhabit these territories, and enjoy the fields or fallow lands given tp them.

" Mharo, Mhar, Dhecldu " - Pariah, person of low caste, ,generally engaged in bambo ware.

" Chamar "- Leather workman. "Chamarni " - Leather

'workwoman. c

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,,chonv vornancha hoil iek mell " The four castes of people shall follow one religion, (lit.) shall make one whole. ,,Kovonn kovonnacha nodhori vitall " Hence - \[6 s25t6 shall hate the other.

7."Kunnbi"-pxlglgr."Kunnbinni"-farmeress'This is the caste of the primitive settlers, dedicated to agriculture,

but little or not at all prone to the letters. They eat mice and fish, hate other meat and even eggs ; they don't drink wine, eat frugally and work hard. women are more active than men for work, and cultivate fields quite diligently. This caste is very fonrl o[ inoney so that tffy amass and hide the rnoney and use it very rrtiserly for fooJ^ilothes. They feel great shame to'beg alms and so they look after each other in need, though they have no relation of blood or affinity, provided that they are of the same caste. Such custom will be rarely found among other castes of these inhabitants.

8. " Dviz " ps156n of high caste such as Brahmin,

-

Kshatriya, or VaishYa, 9, " Battonn " - Loss of caste such as when a Hindu eats with Christians oriwith those of inferior caste' " Battoitarn " - To defite a Hindu by making him to eat with Christian and follow their religion, as a result of rvhich he loses his caste. " Battugo r' - A Hindu who lost his caste f o r being defiled by following Christian religion.

10. " Yeuni, Yoni " -- Caste, race common ni?n"*e of the inhabitants of a village. "-Moddganvkarank undirachi yeuni " inhabitants of Marg6o bear the nickname of mouse.

- The " Vernekarank boilachi yeuni " - Those of Verna bear the nickname of ox, etc' '" Vahanem " Common nickname of inabitants of a village.

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-11. " Gotr " - Lineage ol

11

ascendants and descendants

of masculine line. " Goftchar Gotrponn, Gotry " - Kin of the same lineage, i. e. ascentlant or descendant of masculine line' 12. " Kuttomb " - Family ( including children, slaves, etc.)

13 " Iekvisanchean " p61 life of all your generation, of

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all your ancentors till 21st. generation, (21 generations constitute a particular number in Hindu life).

14. " shoponkulli '' - Generation of 56 Kings from whom it is said to have descended all the kings of the world' 15. " Nagkull "-Generation or family of the king of snakes'

II.

Marriage

1" t'Logn " - Beginning r:f Hindu marriage;

conjunction

or propitious time for sacrifice. ,,

Beginning or propitious conjunction ( of stars ) to celebrate Hindu marriage ; propitius time for some affairs.

2. " Vharoddik, Vharodd, Vivhao, Soinvor, Somondh " -

Muhurt,'-

Marriage.

3.

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t' Raibar "

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Concert or arrangement of marliage'

",Raibari, Azmoni, Vipru, Mhalmontri "- Matchmaker, third person bringing about marriages' 4. "Vharoddik vo vharodd koritam ; vivhao, somondh koritam, vharodd nhatam I horu 6l2tflrn ; bail zodditam vo mel' loitam vo koritam " -- To marry.

5. " Aioru " - A certain ceremony of mariiage' 6. ,' Gantthivorlu " - The two parts of cloth of the bride'

grc,om anfl of the bride, which are tied in the rnarriage ceremony.

7

,,Mongollosttok

" - A recitation by Hindu priests at

L2rnarriage ceremony of Brahmins at the moment when ladies sprinkle rice on wedded couple, ( also in other ceremonies like thread ceremony, etc.).

8. " Bashik 'r - A garland with grains of rice worn on

hcad of Hindu bridegroom during marriage ceremony.

9. " Chougulio " -

Four married women performing a rite to wedded couple in marriage ceremony.

10. " Iezmani rr -

ffi251sr of house, or head of family who looks after the invitations and other arrangements of a wedding.

Iezman " - Female head of house who undertakes the above work of a wedding.

" Iezmaninn,

11. " Mongoll, Mongollchll " - Sorrgs sung at

HinCu

marriages, thread ceremonies, etc.

12. " Pautt " - Cloth strips' spread by

washermen, making a carpeted way, by paving which the bridegroom and bride enter into the wedding reception tent ( or pandal)'

13. " Roshi tr - flg21fh for the occasion of wedding.

1-+. " Xens " - Handful of rice which is thrown on the heads of bridegroom and bride at marriage ceremony.

15. " Torn, Toronn " - String of boughs, or rnango

tree

leaves hung for wedding;,feasts, processions, etc.

16. " Thong nachoitam " - To make the bride and bride-

groom dance, one holding in lap tfue groom, and the other the bride, or also, by seating them in a litter, and those, holding it on shoulders, dancing and somaking them dance. ( It is to be noted that bride anc groom were children and not adults).

17. " Vovi " - Song of three and half verses.

18. " Porkhonditam, Khelloitam " - To entertain

rvith

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delicate food the bridegroom or bride before and after being wedded, such as by the parents-in-law ro son-in-law.

" Porkhond " - Delicacies with which bride and groom.

are entertairred.

19. " Gondhruivavo ment.

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f,sysmonial of marriage engage-

20. " Viddviddo " - Rolled

betel distributed on n.tarriage-

engagement.

2L. " Mhali " -

Q6s who heads the affairs of being closest relative such as eldest brother.

" Mhaluponn " as a brother in affairs

a marriage

Office or duty of tbe clodest relative,

such,

of marriage.

22. " Koneadan, Ononn " -

Dowry to the daughter. Anciently the brides did not give dowry to the grooms unless the grooms first furnish the brides in ready money.

23. " Govon "

Gift to the relatives on their marriage,. or to the children on their birth.

24.

" Saddo "- Valuable gift, such as garments, ornaments,,. jewels etc., that the bridegroom gives to the bride. t

25. " Toili, tolloi "- A gift that the bridegroom

sends to

the bride (already married) on wedding day.

26. " Dokina, dokshinna " - Alms given to the Hindu or to the poor pilgrims, or

beggars, on the occasion of Hindu vveddings, (and also on that of Christian weddings).

priests,

27. " Koru " -

Compensation received by the kunbi fatherin-larv from his son.in-law fr:r giving'him his daugthter as rvife.

28. " IJmongonn mongonn " - Taking the bride fron,

father-in-larv's house to her parents' house, and bringing her back to the in-laws.

i+

-Several times going and coming of the wedded couple tr: their parentrs house r:n the occasion of their marriage.

39. " Prannsokhi " - An epithet that a husband gives to his wife, as for instance, wif e of my soul.

29. " Panchporton " -

" Potivrot" -Loyal and dutiful wife.

31. " Ubtroivorgam " - Couple of husband and wife.

32. " Sovoti " - Second wiie, the first wife beinf alive.

33. " Iekpotni - Man having relations with no woman

'other than his own rvife.

34. " Nhannem, Vosortponn, Vosortem, Afddotem, Afoddu, of woman, which Hindus celeb' Praisornond " - First menses rate at if or rather more than a marriage'

35.

",Poddtallo "

.child.

36. " sudchar " -

- Gift to a woman

who give birth to

Days of purification of a woman after

r:hild birth.

37. " Gullankaru " - A monster

III.

Village republics

1.

.

given birth by women.

" Ganvoi, Ganvponn

" - Republic of village

owners

;

village owpership ; rights and privileges o[ village olvners; villagffisi;ting of represent:rrives oi the genealogicrl groups of the village owners; meeting of village council. " Ganvkar " - Villagerwner' i. e. holder of village rights and privileges ; founder'member of village republic. " Ganvtthoku " Village scoundrel or villain.

" Mhazon " -

Qesllsunity of village owners.

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2. "Gram"-Village. " Grampurush "

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Village owner or founder.

" Grambhas " - Rule or regulation of the village'

republic.'

" Gramvarik, Grarnarik, Grimarik, Varik " -

ElecterJ'

representative for dealing village affairs ; procurator of the village tepublic.

" Iethmonddolli, Bhas " - Decision of the village republic.

3. " Vangodd " - Voice (i.e. right), vote, honour, preeminence or prerogative of village community, such as to bid and exercise other powers in the village republic.

" Vangddi " cornmunity.

Village owner with prerogative

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" Vangoddu " of the village.

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of

village

Constituent gen'ealogical group of members'

" Nem " - Agreement or resolution of the village council. owner of the village who represents' " Desai " - Chief in the General Council of the village communites or republics.

4.

" Desaiponn, Desaiki " - Notrility.

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5. "Mukhashi"- Chief of avillage.

6. " Mellekar, Mellekari "- Village owner with right of vote7. " Naka " - Veto used by village'owner in the villagecouncil.

8. sffices.

" Zanvel, Zanveli "

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Bidder at auction or for village

" Zanvo" - Bid at auction. " Sovor zanvo " - Bid by the village-owner for the office of procurator or tax collector by offering money to the village community. {

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" Allu "

$ssvxnt of the chiefs of village guards'

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10. " Khotu " 11. " lVlirashi " -

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Monopoly lease-holder of whole village' $grvxnt of the village community hold'

ing hereditary office and land

possession.

Office and land possessed hereditarily by a servant of village community; land possessed for long time ; ancestral property.

" Mirash " -

72. " Naddkorn " - Scribe's office of general council ( the (

latter consis'ts of the representatives of the chief villages of the taluka ). " Naddkorni " Scribe of the general council.

-

" Kullkorni "

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desh )

Scribe of the village community or republic.

" Kullkorontt " - Office of village community.

13. " Paddekar, Paddoi " - f,ssqanut plucker ( He wa (vaddo).

s

,appointed by the village council for a particular ward

14. " Porpotti " -

Public announcer or crier of the village

cornmunity.

" Porpott " community.

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Profession of crier or announcer of the village

15. " Srikornni " - Notary ; scribe of the village.

16. " Karmoluk, Khasonis, Muzumudar " - ( Nluslim word )

of Public Treasury, Revenue Collector.

-Superintendent L7. " Deshkornni " - Scribe of General Council.

18. " Torollu, Torvollu, Torlu " - \fialshman of the vill.age, who, besides guarding hguses and lands, was also res'ponsible for law and order in the viliage.

Watch of the village ( which included houses, gardens, palm-groves and paddy fields).

" Torluk'r

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19. " Mutalik rr ]![26xger of landlord's properties.

20. " Poth " - Village tax omce.

" Potirdar, Pothkar " - Village tax collector whose office was auctioned and given to the highest biclder. ( He was a dreaded person, and, in course of time, his name corrupted into " Potekar " was used to frighten children as a child-lifter.

-

21. " Pennem " -

Stage ( stopping place travellers to have repast or rest.

22. " Doptor " " Doptori

t'-

Registration

of

)

of journey for

fice of records.

Registration officer of records.

23. " Adau ,' -

fncome or revenue

of

the village comm_.

unity.

2+. " Nel 'r - A tax payable to the village com.munity.

25. " Ukodd r' - l6xn collected from the lessees by the village owners by le'.'ying them according to their respective rent due.

26.

Kottumbonn " unity for land granted.

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Fixed rent due to the village

corltr.

" Sason kottumbonn " - Fixed rent for perpetual lease.

Sason " - Long (i.e. perpetual) lease. " Sason patto " - Deed of long (perpetual) lease. " Patto " - Deed of agreement. " Kraepatto, Kirepotr " - Deed of sale. " Vanti " - Variable revenue due to lhe village owners. " Zonn".- Profit or loss ratable among vilage owners. " Futto 2s171y1t'- Personal tax payable by the village dwellers.

" Zcnn" -

Right of every male village owner after reaching a certain age to a share in the net profit of the village, and only in 3

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case he herd lands subject

to flexible rent (vanti) he had to share

intheloss.TeotonioR.deSouza,Iuleilic'oal,Goa,NewDelhi, 1979, p.83).

..Alarkhonl''_Perpetualrent...Alarkhonnechoganv''Village subject to pay perpetual rent' ,,Dantforal " Tooth charter. Port' " Foral de 4f .

- (lit.) (This may be a charter in virtue boca'f - (lit.) Mouth charter'

ofwhichaservantofvillagerepublicwasentitledtoaperiodical " Dantforalachem certidro remuneration in food cornmodities).

I{e was issued a title of food charter' taka clilem "

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Loss o{ money advanced to enjoy property' for a limited period of another's palm-grove, or other property is returned to its time, on the erpiry of which the owner with no refund to the usufructuary' rr members of-the village 29. " Fallo - fxv payable by the kullkornniache bailck zalo comrnunity. " Gan vank zalo fallo'

2g.

,, Lekh nashik

"

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vallo"-Taxcollectionstartedinthevillage'andthescribe's village comrn'

scribes of the wife got already a bracelet' (i'e' ttre tradition continues)' unitiJs deal underhand' Such a per head" ,, Xenddi fallo " - tax levied which is given to ,,Sati 'r Quarter of animal killed

30.

-

the Revenue Administrator'

31. "Xidau"-Land

revenue

or rent Payable bY the

cultivator.

or to Revâ‚Źnue of land due to the king, vsf i-LeasedPaddY the village community' "-Rokomechem field.

32. ,,Tokshim " Village tax. ,, Rokom rr

" Tolob "

-

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Order for collection of money'

19

33.

tenant.

34.

-sheet.

" Rokho " - Order of magistrate to collect money due. " Toskoro " - Collecrion of total amount due by Expenditure section

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of village

" Dostu " - ftgvsnue of the village' " Dhoddo, Dostudhoddo " - Account of

balance'

revenue and

expenditure, i. e. balance-sheet, of the village community.

35. " Vetthi " Compulsory free service or work'

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" Vetthio "

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Compulsory free worker'

by which one IJrnvochon " -debtAcquittal or from part thereof. is declared discharged and free from

36. " Urnvachea,

37...Singottill_J2apaidbamboocraftsmenfordead cow.

" Singottikal."

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Bidder o[ tax for dead cows'

3g. ,, veaddu rr - l62n of money taken by village owners.

39."Urvolli,Urulli"-Registeroftaxpayerswhich

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respective the village scribe gives to the revenue collector for collection. " Adao " - Entry in the village registry' 40. ,, Xivddi " - Roll or register of auctions anci expenditure of village community kept by the suibe'

4l...To]lot''-wildpalm-leafusedforrvritingon.

42. " Dezo " - I?oll or list of Persons'

Dejitarn''_Toenrol];Tonrarkabsenteesontheroll. " Voi " - Register or roll of village' " Dinvoi " - Register of titles kept by scribes' ..Voibhainni''-Noterecorded<lntheregisterofthe

village.

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n-43. " Bainni" - Time-limit. " Khondebainni," - Extension of time-limit for re'

payment of debt.

44. " Talug, Taluk " - JJlpscript or copy of a document.

45. " Ttanchnni " - Scribe's book of notes.

46. " Khazon " - Salt water paddy field reclaimed from

rlver or

sea.

" Keru " - Sandy PaddY field of not salt rvater. " Xet" -. Fresh water PaddY field. produce to be given to Gocl; or land granted to the servants of God, or those. of the village for their usufruct.

" Nomoshi " 1 Land leased for its

" Verik " - Strip of salt water qaddy field assigned as share' .' " Vistvoi " - Lease of salt water padcly field. " Vorkor'- Plot or division of paddy field. " .Akhu " - Particulat share of salt water paddy field.' " Gutog, Gutok " - Paddy field that a non-village owner ( generally a European and often a Religious ) takes in his title, thqs acquiring share in village profit or loss.

" Bandi " - Salt water paddy field of such above conditions.

47. " Kullagrso'mollbhogi " Solidar]' possessor of palm

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grove.

.l

" Kullmudoli " - Principal owner of property'

mud, etc', hedge for closing the opening of salt water paddy field to prevent water flowing out.

48, " Addorn "-'Wooden,

'qOgrhar " - Gift village (Villages or lands were granted by kings to important persons, such as Brahmins, for

49.

their maintenance).

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-2I 50.

,, ovsor, ovsodd

for holding meetings'

"

Time fixed by the village owners

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<lf cultivators of reclaimed

- A..o"iation salt water PaddY fields' 52. ,,Khuntr"- ]{sslber of 51.

t, Bhous

"

paddy field

title

holders

sharing village Profit or loss' 53. " IJsttonn " Meal of new paddy rice'

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Lease of land granted by village cornmunity the rent of which is to be paid in periodical instalments,

54.

" Jaie bhas "

andthepaymentoftotalrentbecompletedbeforeexpiryof time-limit.

55. .,Manzori mhali" - The first bunch of cocoanuts, i.e. to be plucked first as it will be ripe earlier then others. ,,, Marlzoti dhali '' - Second bunch of cocoanuts, i.e. to be plucked after the one which will be ripe earlier' 56. ,,Kumballem " - Lease of paddy field or other land.

57. ,, Mallo " - fluf put up for watching the paddy field.

58. " Vollnem, Band ?' Bund of paddy held or of 4

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reservoir.

IV.

Sati

widow's voluntary enffance into ogniproves " - pyre.

Also, voluntary immolation of the {ire of husband's funeral ,,Tea nimitim to Raza oronneant vochun ogni' men by fire.

1.

,,

proveskorunmortalr_Jhglgforethatkinggoestotheforest di"t by burning himself' "n? ,, tinmolation. of widows bn the death of Saeghomss " husband bY fire.

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2. "Mhasoti"- Attired rvidow who burns herself after throwing husband's death ; she dances and grimaces before hlrself into the fire.

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" Dhormxilla'o - A stone by the pyre' on rvhich the rvidow steps to throw herself into fire.

3.

" The old custom was that the Indian women were burnt spontaneously along with the defunct husbands so that they should die with them and, according to their false beliefs, have a new life.

4.

5. " Ghuddoitam,

Ghuddostritam'r the widow who is to be burnt alive.

V.

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To make to dance

Tirne anil SPace

a) Eras : 1. " Sonvsor " - Era of time covering a cycle of sirty years, on the expiry of rvhich it ends ; the sixty eras are as follows:

Probhov; 2. Vibhov (corresponding to the year 68) ; 3. Shud; 4. Angl ; 5. Promod ; 6. Projopti ; 7. Shrimukh ; 8' Bhov;9. Ytrv; 10. Dhata;1I. Veie; 12. Sorvchit;13. Sorvdhani; 14. Virodhi (yearof 89); 15. Vikrut (year 90); 16. Chor (<rr Khor ?l; 17. Nondon (year 92); 18. Isporu; 19. Bhondhone; 20. Fromoti (year 1613) ; 21. Vikramo (year 80); 22.

Vrushe (year SS); 23. Chitrbhanu.; 24. Shubanu (year 831; 25.

Torunne; 26. Porthiv (year 1585);27. Kiloke (year 1608); 28' Some i 29. Sadharam; 30. Porctravi (year 1612) ; 31' Pormoti (year L57g); 32. Onond; 33. Rakhesh (vear 1615); 34' Noll (year tO16);35. Vijoie (year93); 36. Joie (vear 9+); 37' Mon' morhu (?) ; 38. Drumukhi; 39. I{emollombi; 40. villornbi (year 91); 41. Vikari lyear 98) ; 42,. Soritori (Sostor ?) ; 43' Polov (year 1601) ; 44, Subkrur (year 1602); a5. Subhokrut (year 1613); 46. Krodi (year 6Oa); 47. Vishvavishv (vear 606); 48.' Pora bhov (year 1606) ; 49. Polvong (vear 617); 50' Pingoll (year 1617); 51. Kallegrut; 52. Sidharti (vear 1619); 53' Roudri;

1.

54. Drumukhi ( Sorvori ? ) ( year 1600 ) ; 55. Drumuti ; 56. Dudumbi ; 57.Rudrodagfti; 58. Rugutakhi (yeat 76241 ;

59. Krodon (year 625); 60. Kheie (year 1626)' 2. "Sonvsor"-Also: yeirr. " Sonvsor paddvo" -New Year, i.e. first month of the Year.

3. " Sinjestu " - Hindu leap year repeating every 12 yearc' b) Ages : 1. Yog - An age of the rvorld' The infidels posited four ages, the first being called Kret, the second Tret, ttre third Duapor, and the fourth Koli. They atribute to each age an indefinite number of years, as many as they wish, and invent stories which they would have liked to have happened

in those ages. " Koli " - One of the four ages of the world, and it is the fourth and present age. " Hie Koliecho gunn vaitt " - The quality or effect of the present age is bad' (The four ages (yugas) are: Krita, Treta, Duapara and Kali, having respectively the duration of 1,728,000; 1'299,000 ; g64,000; and 432,OOO human years; each of these four succeeding ages is characterized by an increasing physical and spiritual

deterioration. In Krita age, which is identical with Truth,

austerities (tapas) are prescribed as the highest good (dharma); in the Treta, sacred knowledge; in the Duapara, performance of sacrifice ; and in the Kali " giving away " (dana). " Sources of Indian Tradition ", columbia university Press, New York, 1960, pp.223-224).

2. "Kolp"-A part of the age (yuga) of the world' ( A clay of rhe age of the world consists of many millions of human years).

3. " Kolikalu

t'-

Age or era of the Devil of quarrels.

c) Months

1.

Magu-January; 2. Fulgunnu, Xigmo (month of Hindu'

t4 -carnival) - February; 3. Choitr (first month of the Hindu year)- March ; 4. Voishaku - April ; 5. Jesttu-May ; 6. Asha/do-1on"; 7. Srivonn, Srovann-Joly ; 8. Bhadduvo-August l 9. Aspinu, Ashvinu - September ; 10. Kartiku - October ; 11. Margshir-November; 12. Pushu, Malonnu-December.

d)

Days

of

week

1. " Aditvar, Aitvar, Aitar " - Sundayl 2. Somvar.

Somar - Monday ; 3. Mongollvarn6Mongllar - Tuesday; 4.

Budhuvar, Budhvar-lVednesday; 5. Brespotivar, Brestvar, Brestar

- Thursday; 6. Shrki#fi|

Friday

; 7. Shonivar,

Shonvar-Saturday. " Var " - Planet I d"y of the week. Aditu (Sun), Somu (Moon), Mongollu (Mars), Budhu (Mercury), Brespoti (Jupiter), Shukr (Venus), Shoni (Saturn). These are the seven planets after which the days of the week are named.

2.

" Novgroha

"-The

nine planets of Hindu astronomical

system

e) 1. " Musombi, Mosombi "-Monsoon, i.e. season of navi. gation. Ovoll musombi Main monsoon, i.e. South West monsoon.

-

(Musombi is a word of Arabic origin (mausim) meaning season, and referred to the season of navigation in the Indian Ocean, due to favourable wind ; in surnmer, i.e from May to October, wind blows from SW giving place to wet (or SWl monsoon, and iavouring the sailing from Africa to India, and in winter, i.e. frorn November to April, wind blows from NE, giving place to dry (or NE) m-onsoon, and favouring the sailing from India to Africa ; the Arabs and the Portuguese made good use of the monsoons for tbeir navigation by sail vessels. Today monsoon means generally rainy season in India).

--

25

f) Hours oJ d'aY

1. " Vell " -Time, daY, sun.

Udiam kala " - At sun rise. Adam vella - At about 7 a.m.

Prara vella, or Pareka vella- At about 9 a.m. Dedda para-At 10.30 a.m. Dom param - At noon. Oddoicham param - y',,.t about 1.30 p.m. Tim param- At 3 p.rn. Odd vellam- At about 5 p'*.

Ostom kala - At sun set ; Sande kala- At Angelus time; Lou' sanje After Angelus; Till sandam - After Lousanje ; Katr After Till sandam ; Dekhnedekheri - At fall of night gondolla (already dark) I Jevonn ratri - At supper time, i.e. between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Modhean ratri or Mozort ratri - At mid' night; Fanteari-At.dawn; Nitoll faleari-At clear dawn light" '3

t

The natural day (of 24 hours) is divided into 64 ghoddio, and the artificial (solar) day into 32, so that an hour corresponds to 2 ghodclio and 15 minutes, i.e. 2? ghoddio ; subsequently one ghoddi is divided into 4 panvollam, one panvoll into 4 khinn, and one khinn into 4 nimush. ( So one ghoddi is equivalent to22 minutes and 30 seconds. However, while Diogo Ribeiro (1560-1633) divides a day into 64 ghoddio and one ghoddi into 22m. 3Os., the prevailing Hindu calendar divides a day into 60 ghoddio and one ghoddi into 24 minutes, so that the duration of the day, by both the divisions, amounts to same' i.e. of 1440

t

minutes).

1.

I

t

'i

solar day, that is, from sunrise to sunset, is clivided into four prahar, prar or par, Qach prar covering about ttrree hours, so that the first prar ends by 9 a.m., and the second exactly at mid.day; likewise, the night. i.e. from sunset to sunrise, is also divided into four prar, and so 9. p.m.

The artificial day or

is prara rati. +

l! ;

li

|,

I

25

-" Ghottika "

-

$2s1s as ghoddi.

Ghoddivattem " - \Mater-clock which consists of a little basin with a small hole, kept on the surface of a vessel filled with water which slowly enters into the basin filling the same in an hour, half hour, quarter hour, etc. thus showing the time passed; the basin sinks in the vessel at the end of the respective time.

"

2. " Osttoi

prahar " AII the eight parts night, i.e.'whole day and night.

3, " Khor dis ".-

Inauspicious as Sunday and Wednesday.

of the day

and

day; day of ill omen, such

4,

" Trikall "-Three periods of the day, nanrely morning, noon and evening; present, past and future. pyss s4ge, i.e. sage in the morning, " Trikhall gneani u noon and eveningl; all-knowing, omniscient, i.e. knowing the present,lpast and future.

g)

Phases

of the ?noon

1. " Kolla, Kola (pl. kollo, kolo) "

- Aspects or phases (dark or illuminated portion) that the moon goes on decreasing or increasing during its movement round the earth, and which are sixteen: 1.

" Ovas, Ovxa, Omas, IJmvas, Umas " - Nâ&#x201A;Źw Moon.

2. Punov, Purnov - Full Moon I 3. Padduvo- First lunar day, i.e. after new or full moon; 4. Bi-Second lunar day; 5. Toi Third lunar d"y; 6. Chovot-Fourth lunar day; 7. Ponchorn - Fifth lunar day ; & Shoshtrhi - Sixth lunar d"y ; 9. Soptonr - Seventh lunar day; 10. Ostthom - Eighth lunar d"y ; 11. Novom- Ninth lunar day; 12. Doshom - Tenth lunar day;113. Yekadosh- Elevent lunar day; 14. Duadosh-

-27

Twelfth ltrnar dry; 15. Tirodosh - Thirteenth lunar day;

16. Choudosh-Fourteenth lunar day.

Lunar day, i.e. day of the lunar month. " Pokhe, Fokhernas " - Half lunar month. " Krusnnpokhe "- Crescent moon, i.e. 15 days after new

" Tith "

-

moon.

" Shudh, Shudhsiulpokhe, Shuklpokhs " - Wane of moon, i.e. l5 days after full moon. " Boull, Sordkall " - Fifteen days of the wane of moon from full moon to new moon. " Sordkallichem chandinem " - l![e66light frorn full moon to new moon. " Choitr voishakem chandinem " - Moonlight

of

March

has no equal.

2. " Bhang " - Neap tide, that is, a tide soon after moon's first and third quarter in which high-water level is at lowest.

" Sudho or Niputt Bhang " - Lowest neap tide.

3. " Paronn, Paronna, Paronnem " - Meal, that Hindus take after rvhich they begin the fast of the twelfth lunar day; also ; meal they take at dawn of the day to break the fast of the previous day. " Overn "- Lunch next to the breakfast on the above day.

h) Slars of the farmers The native farmers divide the year into 27 stars ; each star comprises 15 days, but some of them bave more and others less

1.

:

" Osponi,Osponio ", the first star, which is at the end of â&#x201A;Źummer and beginning of winter or monsoon; 2. Bhoronni, Bhoronnio; 3. Krutika; 4. Kohinni, Rohinnio; 5. Mrug-

28shira, Mruguishiro ; 6. Adra, Adro ; 7. ponropursu ; 8. Pursu; 9. Ashollosho ; 10. Mogho; 11. purvo ; 12. Utro; 13. Hoslu ; 14. Chito; 15. Suatio i 16. Vi_

xakha; 17. Anarada ; 18. Jestta; 19. Mullu-abour this star Hindus believe in an omen that, in case on this star a child or calf is born, the father or other relative will die, and therefore the child is given to others for being brought up, and the calf is

given to the priest (bhat) along with the morher cow; 20. puruvoshdda: 21. Utoroshdda; ZZ. Srivannu ; 23. Dhonistta;

24, Xetotarka, Xetaviku; 2g Purvbhadrpoda; 26. bhadrpoda ; 27. Revti, the last star.

Katio - Pleiad, constellation of seven stars. i) Sigqof the zodiac

Utor-

"Rashi " - Sign of the zodiac.

The zodiac has twelve si.gns : l. hepu (Vrushobh)-Taurus | 4. Korku- Cancer ; 5.

7.

Tullu

-

Sagittarius

Libra

; 10.

Meshu-Aries ; 2. Mes3. Mithunu (Dvomdv)- Gemini ; Simho-Leo ; 6. Konia- Virgo ;

; 8. Vrushchik-

Scorpio ; Mokoru-Capricornus I l i.

Aquarius; 12. Minu-Pisces.

9.

Dhonu

-

Kumbhrr-

j) Parts oJ the woild 1. " Chorano[61 " (Heaven), Nlrutiv (Ea.rth),

{Jniverse, consisting of : Svorg and Patall (Unclerworld, Heli).

2. Four elemenrs: Bhumika (Earrh), panni

(Water),

Ontrall (Air), Ogni (Fire). " Pruthvi, Op, T"j, Pavon, Goghon ievam panch mha bhutam "-Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, Air, such are five principal elements.

3.

tt

Tribhuvon "

-Three

worlds

:

-29^ Heaven, Earth, Hell.

" Trilok "- People of the three parts of the world, namely, Svorglok (people of Heaven), Mrotlok ( Mortals, people of Earth), and Patall'lok (people of Hell).

4. " Choudai " - psgsfssn parts into which the world is supposed to be divided.

5.

" Khondd " - Qsg of the nine regions of which the earth is supposed to consist. " Novkhonddam " - Nine regions into which the earth is supposed to be divided.

6. " Dip " - Seventh part into which it is said the world is divicled ; each dip has its particular name.

VI.

Currency

1. " Duddu, Kevo, Ruko " - Bazatuco, coin, money.

2. " Adduko "- (Jesuitd) Quarter bazaruco ; (Franciscans).

H.alf bazaruco; i.e. a coin of insignificant value.

3. " Bazarucs "-

Small copper coin of large use in Goa in the i6th. c, for purctrase of commodities from inland native states of India ( Cartas de D. Jodo de Castro, ed. by Elaine Sanceau, Lisbon, 1955, p.lO2).

4.

';Barni, Bargoni "

ttanko or tanga branca.

-24

bazarucos or

leais; or quarter

5. " Bellugo "- Eight leais; or one third of bargoni.

6. " Lhari " - Larim' or tanga.

7. " Vora" -Pagode, a gold coin.

8. " Protap " - Half Vora, or Half Pagode.

9. " Putlli rr - A gold coin (current in India, and equivalent

to about five rupees).

30-10. " Rubu " -

One fourth of tanga or lhari (old coin of Goa equivalent to 15 reis).

11. "Tar"-Leal (Goan silver coin worth

12 Portuguese

reis).

t2. " Duganni " - Coin of four leais.

13. " Osrupi " - Pardao, Xarafim ( Indian coin equivalent reis).

to 300 Portuguese 14. " Ttanko " - Blank tanga equivalent to four bargoni used for tax payment' or eight ordinary bargoni.

15. "Joitholl" - Two leais, or one fourth of bellugo,

i.e.

one trvelfth of bargoni.

16. " Soshkanni" -Twelve L7, "Dam"-Acoin.

bazarucos.

vII " Mundd, Koroz " - Loan in money given to a person on condition that he with his family should live in the palm-

1.

grove of one who gives the above loan.

" Munddkar " - Receiver of mundd ( loan of money

as

above).

" Mokhom" lord's property.

-

Permanent residence of a person in the land'

2. " Ganv " - A measure of road-distance equivalent

to

around two leagues, and is divided into four kos.

Half-league, or quarter ganv. " Kos "

-

r' " Yeuj, Yeujon -

A .ri.".or" of

road'distance equal to

four kos.

3. " Budhiboll,

Satranj, Pog, Pogodd

" Pogoddatt, Saripatt " -

Chess'board.

"-

Game of chess.

31

I

I

II I

,,

Gulfoltem',-Wooden board on which generally women

PlaY with cowrie'shells'

" Gul "- Cowrie'shell with which women play; " Yekol "- Point of cowrie'shell garne, which women play, like garne of dice. " Bhotto

"-

Small round stone used for a game'

4. " Angbhaddem " -

h

\ I I

Personal

toll for crossing in

boat

a river. " Karukr'-J23 collected from handicraftsmen' " Bari "- Personal tar collected on sale of land' " Dann, Sunk tt- J3;, dutY. " Danni "- Collector of royal duties or taxes' " Dondd "- Monetary penalty or fine imposed by the Muslims.

,,odd,dodd, ordodd,, _ Division of family into twc aomiciles, as Hindus do by divirling the family into tlvo parts which thereafter live separately.

6. " Bandi " - A Hindu dance' Chaku, Dekaru - Tip that is given to itinerant dancers, mountbanks, etc' 7. ,, Bapoddtem " Patrimony, or inheritance, or legal

s.

share from one's father.

-

" Barso " - Ceremony or celebration of the 12th day on birth of a child; in this ceremony the child is given a name.

8.

g."sovtibhanddon"-Aquarrelbetweenthesecond and first wives of a man married to both' 10. " Bhang " Moon'shaped ornament of gold worn by

-

girls on forehead.

11. " Bhatem" - Daily ration served in a house,

palace,

etc.; pay or salary of armymen; food that is customary to be

l

Jl -; given to arnbassadors and their attendants, and servants of Divan who como to villages to collect taxes and other things. " Mukhaso " - Gift of food granted by the king to an inhabitant of the village. t2. " Be " A word used by women to reject what other woman says.

-

13. " Gokarnant bodd addailem kelam " - This is said of # *hr, having taken up a task, leaves it incomplete, and begins another one also to leave it half-done, and startlnext one, and so on. ( Gokarna is a place with Hindu temple in North Kanara, where the barbers followed a mischievous practice of keeping incompletely shaved the head of one customer and start shaving the other one, and so on, in order to, thus cheating and threatening the customers, extort from them more money).

74. " Bonni t'- Good luck in the beginning of sale.

15. " Chitrgupt " - Notary who performs secret legal acts.

16. " Choru " - Q66[sd rice thrown into tbe field for God so that the latter may grant a good crop of paddy I or for devil vho should not damage the crop.

17. "Dantvoddo"- Cake rnade for celebrating a child's teething. " Dantonn " -Toothpick of silvet, gold, ivory, etc.

18. " Dovornnem " - Stone stead along the road for resting burdens, at every almost half kos, i.e. 1.5 miles.

19. "Dhorbandi "-Capture or forceful recruitment

of

persons, such as for fleet.

20. " Dhormxall,

Onso6-"

distributed to the poor.

2I. " Ghorpush 'r -

new house.

-

Charity horrse where food

is 1

Dinner given on inauguration

of

t a

\ {

{

\ t:

tI f i

t

\

_22'. " Koronddo " - Rain'coat

ing from

hez^d

33

trtade of palm'leaves cover'

to knees, used by kunbi women for work during

rnonsoon.

23. " Khollit " -

Absence of a worker from duty, such as

by going somervhere he delayed, and at the end of the year the accounts shcwed that he was absent for a certain period of time, e.g. 15 days, which he has to repay to the master.

24. " Kumbddgsl " -

Statue or effigy which Flindus make

of a sick person to remove his

sickness

patient is made and thrown out.

25. " Kuncho " ps2seck's

tail hoisted on the top of

-

;

such effigl' of the a

bamboo carried as a sign of honour ; also : a pole that ensigns or corporals carry in hand to signal to start or to stop figtrt in war.

Decorations of ornamental arches for reception of a king or high dignitary.

27. " Mharnarmunddo, Nimarmunddo " - Beggar who .wounds his body and makes it to bleed in order to get alms by

26. " Makhor " -

moving public PitY.

28. " Nagsoru " - Fife or bagpipe of snake-charmers'

pl6visional receipt issued by the creditor to the debtor, of the repayment of the debt made, while the formal document of acquittance is not issued.

30. " Podok, Poclog " - A golden ornament with shape of pfpul leaf which is hung below the belly of female child'

29,

" Nenop "

-

" Vagnakhem " - A golden ornament with shape of tiger's tooth, or a tig'er's tooth or nail sdt in gold and worn by male children on neck with a golden chain, or sometimes is tied to arm like bracelel.

5

3431. " Poddodn'-

Agreement of washermen to hire clothes of other people who give them for washing.

32. " Porishu rr - A stone, which, when

touches iron

it into gold; philosopher's storre.

33. " Pashonn t'- Cut made with tazor by barber

turns

for

blood-letting.

34, " Patt -

'

Royal seat or throne of table shape.

" Pattacho kumor or kunvor - Prince, Heir

apparent.

" Pattachi Ranni " Queen, King's legitimate and principal wife. " Pattvonti " - Royal wife. Pattvonti Ranni - Legitimate queen.

" Pattacho goddo " - Decurion, i.e. student tutoring his co-disciples.

35. " Paunnaru 'r -

in

i

1

charge of

Food offered to the culprit about to be

executed or hanged.

36. " Paulli " - D"y assigned to each sne of many to do

or to supply something such as fishermen to supply fish.

t'-

Regular supply or payment of firewood, umbrellas, oi1, etc$evenue collector.

" Ratib

37. " Paull " -

Shed

at river passage for people to seal

l

under.

38.

" Peskoshi, Formosh, Sirllari " /l^-'o.--on+ -.' f^rnoney for Government officials. ^FFi^i^1.

39. " Pidduk"-Stringof

{

- Gift or bribe in

beads of difierent colours

]

!

which

I

non.Brahmin women wear on neck as ornament.

40. " Ponv, Ponvoi " - Water kept by road side for

travellers.

I

{

I

-35 41. " Randdul " - Injurious word, meaning widow, used

by angry women to insult one another.

42, "Rothr'-fsvspious carriage

sf

of

noblemera

I chariot

war.

paid or received " sonskar - Earnest or token money in advance for a thing to be bought or sold.

43.

44. " Souni,

ler;

Sorap "

detector of base coin.

-

Shroff; money-changer; agio'dea-

45. " santoitam " - To bless

some one

by placing

one's

band on his head and saying expressions s u c h as : Lokhiu vorusam jie-Live many years; Ojiramvor mhataro za- Be ripe age old ; Panch zonn putr zaoti - Have five sons, i'e. live long years.

46. " sonjivonni - A medicinal substance used for reviv' ing from death.

47. " Xiurak

ievonn

48. " Sullu " -

"-

Meal with no meat and fish'

Stake on which convicts are impaled as

capital punishment in Muslim land' 49, " Tamboll, Ugall " - Red saliva spit out f rom mouth after chewing betel with areca nut'

50. " Tattdk " - Sign ( piece of sack cloth ? ) that an pass

,offended merchant puts on the way so

that no one should

that lvay while he is not redressed' 51. " Tauji" Collection of money to make up a loss or

-

to meet a need. ,'Malem "

a wedding.

-

Alms to recover a loss

or to n'leet expenses of

5o

--

52. "Xenddi"- Pigtail, i.e. a few long hair on.back of head, gdnerally with a knot, named turomb, used, by male Hindus.

53. " Ttevnnem, Ttevnno, Thenknnot'- Sti"k

,

those who carry load on head to support

54. " Vodtan " - Je

swear as

used by

it.

per Hindu rite, such

as

when there is a dispute over boundaries of villages by carrying

on head a basketful of earth up to the line claimed by the swearer to be the true boundary; the same rite is also performed

to settle the boundary disputes of private properties. " Vodon " Oath in court of justice. field.

55. " Virotu " - \ffaslior 56.

'3

r'

Vishvatt "

Okhorvatt "

-

-

who loses chariot in the battle-

\May or road behind the houses.

Front road along the

houses

57. " IJtaru " -'Passenger of ferry-boat who crosses the ferry and again crosses back on the same day, and therefore pays one bazaruco less by saying: Hanv utaru-I will be crossing back.

58. " Xaronngof " - Deserter or refugee rvho, escaping

during war from his general, surreniers himself to the adversary camp.

59. '.'Zainvoll" - Child's hair before first tonsure

or

shave of head.

60. "Zhaddnni"-

Erpelling frorn a person snake poison, dog rabies, madness, etc. by beating the body with twigs oi certain trees.

j

i

_,i

T

-37 6l."Aga"-Interjectionofrespectfuladdresstoelderly man.

Ag" " woman.

-

Interjection

of

respectful address

to

elderly

" Ago " - Interjection oi address to slave wnmen, and daughters of shudras and chardos; Brahmin women are addressed with Are. 62. ,, Orgepod r: - A reverence which consists in touching one's hand to other's feet and then one own's head'

63. " Bhattu " - Messenger with diplomatic immunity' who, in time of war or otherwise, can travel to different lands rvith letters or messages.

64. ,, Ddhilez " pls5sntation a king does of his person

-

to his peoPle' ,,Mhaloviki mhalidhalo mage udhara"-This means a need' asking to lend something some one who' pressed by

65.

sells his wife. ,, Mohonostr

66.

" - A weapon of war, which, being

thrown, bewitches the enemY' 67. ,, Alau balau ghetam "

-

Qg11sR

that mothers take

upon their cbildren'

68...Ddambnpi''_Underfeedingthechildrenfornot growing uP.

69. " Fallu " - Hot brand used for false swearing' it

,, TO. Ghavaitalll " bear fruits.

-

71. " Hajinam a" -

To slash the tree at its base to make

Peace between kings'

i

I

i

38

-Money'pot savings are droPPed through slit'

of clay into

which

72. " Matiecho

belo

73.;ti," Narlancho

sangddo't-J$,'s cocoanuts tied up to'

"

-

gether for swimming.

7+. " Potravollio'- Plate made of tree leaves for meals.

75. " Panni vattechem gonnit " -

"'76. " Purn " -

" Sutr gonhit

iMariner's sea chart.

Mariner's compass.

Wig used bY women.

77.:,L" Koddti " - fisgsgnt book of shopkeepers. of white stond used by shop' " Khoddi, Ttepulo"

-lPiece

keepers

for writing.

Seal, stampI Sopefallo-Seal'tax; Sope' kar- The man who Puts the seal.

79. " soddichem kagot, Soddipotr " Letter or charter

78. "Sopo" -

-

of enfranchisernent. " Sod-rli vo Dhormvatt ditam " - To rhanumit, enfranchise

'or set free the slaves.

89. " Tokvo " 8I. '-"

Vollitr'-

sion from king.

82. " Zaem "

Doru 83. " "-

Statgâ&#x201A;Ź for military men.

pgnsion; Volliti- Person receiving pen' Borrowed ornaments and clothes.

Thread or string which is tied ceremon' iously to the neck or arm of a sick person to be cured from fever.

84. " Duba ditm l'- Tigive

on hire a she'buffalo

for a certain amount of butter or money. rt " Duba hadditam -'fo hire a cow have milk.

or

or

cow

she'buffalo to

--

39

The foregoing lauguage specimens of social institutions and from the customs of Goa at the turn of the 16th. c. are lifted namely two tomes of vocabJesuit and Franciscan marnuscripts, ulary by Diogo Ribeiro, s'j', two tonaes of vocabulaty by the Franciscan friar Gaspar de s. Miguel, one Konkani'Portuguese

vocabulary by Miguel de Almeida, s'j', and a Latin rePort. ,'De Sasatana Peninsula ", by Ignazio Arcamone s.j.,

entitled

Goa, 1664.

I reaffirm that I am unable to exhaust the above sources in my lifetirne ; I pray the younger generation to take up the rnatter with sincerity and dedication, and the fruits, I assure, will be abundantlY rewarding'