Chorão (island)
Chorão, also known as Choddnnem or Chodan, is an island along the Mandovi River near Ilhas, Goa, India. It is the largest among other 17 islands of Goa. It is located away from the state capital, the city of Panaji and away from the city of Mapusa. Even today, one can visit this area and see the distinct churches, graveyards and buildings all with a Portuguese air.
Chorão is accessible by the ferry from Ribandar, is mainly known for its beautiful bird sanctuary. If you arrive here with your own transport it's worth a ride through the countryside to little Chorão village, with its handful of whitewashed village churches and picturesque Portuguese homes.
Etymology
Etymologically the Islands name Choddnnem is derived from the Sanskrit word Chuddamonnim. Chudda means head wear and Monnim signifies some thing worn in the shape of a necklace or a jewel of cylindrical shape.It was the Portuguese who called it Chorão. The Portuguese noblemen found the island a pleasurable place to live and hence the name Ilha dos Fidalgos.
History
Chorão Island preserves the traces of a very interesting ancient history, Brahmin and Portuguese colonizers.Early Settlers and History of Chorão
'The First Wave' of Indo-Aryan migration to Goa happened between the Christian era this is the generally accepted timeline. Descendants of the pioneers at some stage grew into 96 clans. Ninety Six in Konkani is Shennai, from which comes the surname Shenoy or Shenvi. Of the 96 Sinai clans 10 families settle in Chorão. The Shenvi Brahmins would henceforth go on to dominate the socio-economic and religious sphere of Goan life.According to Historian José Gerson da Cunha Chorão was a site of an ancient Tirtha "or sacred pool". and was known as Mahakshetra or "Great country or place". The Shenvi Brahmins were much respected, were handsome, well-behaved and skillful, and that in course of time they very naturally multiplied themselves
According to Jesuit Missionary and writer Luís Fróis "These Brahmins are very polite and of keen intelligence. They are fine gentlemen, fair and well proportioned. Possessing many qualities which are not possible to enumerate. The wives of these Brahmins are a reserved type of people, steady in their habits. They are honest, naturally modest in their disposition and are devoted to their husbands whom they serve well. They do not remarry on the death of their husbands and do not use coloured dresses and since the imposition of the law forbidden sati or widow burning they shave their heads even though they may be young. Their Sons are very able men, fair, gentle in their demeanour and of good common sense".
Chorão had its own ethnic social mores in ancient times. In Goa the Devadasis were called Kalavants. According to P. D Xavier "the Kalavants system might have originated from the widows who ran away and took shelter in the village temples to escape sati, the inhuman practice of burning the widow on her husband”s pyre." The tonsuring of widows was also abolished by the Portuguese like Sati system.
Christianization of Chorão
The island was Christianised by the Jesuits as they did the adjoining islands of Divar and Salcete. In 1510, this area was one of the first to be conquered by the Portuguese and by 1552, the island of Chorão had a population of just above 3,000, 300 of whom were Christian and by this time, a small church was built. By the end of 1559, over 1,200 had accepted baptism in total. The following year, in 1560, the first bishop from the Jesuit order, Dom João Nunes de Barreto set up residence in Chorão, which eventually became a Noviciate.Jesuit Missionary and writer Luís Fróis in his letter dated 10 December 1560 says "Most of these Brahmins can speak Portuguese and are happy to learn the doctrine pertaining to Faith and Morals". With incredible brevity the whole of the Island of Chorão prepared itself for the general baptism which was fixed for 8 August 1560. The archbishop along with some priests visited Chorão Island first, followed by Father Melchior Carneiro and the provincial. It being the month of August, a time when it rains heavily, the repairs of the church were hurriedly completed. The Viceroy Dom Constantino of Braganza came with retinue and brought his musicians who played on a variety of instruments like trumpets, drums and charamelas. Viceroy Dom Constantino of Braganza also stood as god-father to the important men of the place treating them with love and affection. This alone was more than sufficient to keep the neophytes happy. As many as possible were baptised that evening.Father Joseph Ribeiro stayed behind and baptized the remaining. In all, therefore the number of the converts reached 1207, the greater part of the people of the Island having already been baptized before.
Fróis says that a greater number of those who embraced Christianity in Chorão were Chaudarins. They also made better Christians and being more homely, were easy to be converted. They made their confession during Lent, some confessed their sins fortnightly, others monthly and six or seven of them every Sunday and they received Communion in the Church of Our Lady of Grace Church.
Some Chorão women, on the occasion of their baptism, wore some much gold to the extent of astonishing the missionaries. They belong to the caste of Chardo. In 1566 Chorão had 2470 converts and few Brahmins had promised to become Roman Catholics later. In 1582 there were three thousand converts in Chorão and all its inhabitants were Roman Catholics and many came from outside to receive baptism.
Ilha dos Fidalgos
A large number of magnificent building with storeys rose up surrounded by lovely flower garden and sometimes due to want of space attached to one another. It was here that most of the nobility and rich resided, spending a life of comfort and luxury. This was the reason why Chorão Island became known as Ilha dos Fidalgos.Tradition has it that when these Fidalgos went for Mass, a special place was set apart to protect their superfine umbrellas, chiefly made of red damask. The fidalgos would be found often lounging near the ferry point on the south-eastern side of the island, waiting for patmarios to cross over to Old Goa or Ribandar. The Fidalgos as well as the common folk took great delight in chewing on snacks available then and gulped down hot tea in the shacks. They enjoyed the freshly steamed merem and sipped the hot cha at that spot.
Cheese of Chorão
Chorão was once famous for its cheese. Cattle of whatever kind and type, would breed and thrive well on the island and milk was supplied in abundance. Queijo da Ilha de Chorão was a wonderful cheese that had been produced since the 16th century. Chorão Cheese was well liked and appreciated by Portuguese Gentry in Goa. Chorão Cheese used to be exported even as far as Macau. Due to immigration of Islanders, this Cheese Industry got extinct in the 19th century.Forts of Chorão
Two well equipped fortresses guarded Chorão Island from the incursion of Marathas. The Fortaleza de São Bartolomeu de Chorão was built in 1720 in the north eastern part of Chorão Island. It had a lovely castle within its enclosures. Among other things it had eleven turrets and was used for the defense of the fort that surrounded Chorão island and those of Calvim. According to Sketch of the City of Goa by Jose Nicolau da Fonseca, it was probably erected at the same time as the Fort of Naroa. The Saint Bartholomew Fort was abandoned in 1811 and now lies in total ruins.Epidemics in Chorão Island
Main Article : Epidemics in Chorão IslandEducation Institutions
In 1559, the Jesuits founded a school in Chorão for the children of the village. It is recorded that the number of them at one time reached 400. Reading, writing and Christian doctrine were taught in this school. According to the belief of the people the school was functioning in a building situated at the western part of the hill built as a residence of the Jesuits by Fr. Dom João Nunes Baretto S.J. Patriarch of Ethiopia. The Konkani language which was a great help for the conversion work was probably taught in this school. It was meant for the Jesuits.Seminary of Chorão
Main Article : Real Colégio de Educação de ChorãoLatin School
According to a decree issued on 19 April 1871 after a resolution had been passed by the Communidade of Chorão on 6 February 1870, it was decided to establish on the Island of Chorão at the expense of the Communidade of Chorão a School of Latin, the payment of the Professor who was to be appointed by the Government of the State.English School
In 1944 Fr. Elias Gama wanted to built a new English School in Chorão Island, he could not do it as there was one founded by Mr. Januario Pereira of Boctavaddo, St Barthomews High School, though it was not actually running. It was the merit of Fr. Elias Gama to restart it. On 6 November 1952 new building of School was inaugurated by Dom José da Costa Nunes. The medium is English and the School prepares for the S.S.C examinationVillages
The Chorão island constituted of three comunidades namely:Saude is the centre of the island.
Chorão
This village is located on the south of the island.Village Church
Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Graça Our Lady of Grace ChurchAmbelim
This village is located on the north west of the island.Village Church
Igreja de São Bartolomeu, Chorão St Bartholomew's ChurchCaraim (Caroi)
This village is located on the north east of the island.Village Church
Temples
Like in all of Goa, the high immigration rate of Hindus from surrounding states like Maharashtra etc. have caused a dramatic change in the demographics, culture and landscape in Chorão. Though immigration was allowed during the secular Salazar regime, it has been put into full gear after the Annexation of Goa by India.Many temples have been rebuilt since the last century. One example is the temple of Shri Devaki Krishna Bhumika Mallinath built on 11 January 1934.
Bird Sanctuary
The Chorão Island is attractive primarily because of its amazing flora and fauna. There are many mangroves – the amazing and beautiful forests growing in the water.Chorão is also home to the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, in the western part of the island, on an area of 178 hectares. It is the largest bird sanctuary of Goa is located. The reserve has got its name from the famous Indian ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali and now it proudly bears the name of "Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary". The territory of this National Park is inhabited by migratory and local birds of over 400 species. The crocodiles can also be seen among the aquatic inhabitants of Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.
Notable People of Chorão Island
| Name | Occupation |
| Locu Sinai Naique | Rendeiro Mor & Village Judicial Authority-1548,"The Greatest Giant of Goan Brahmin community" and opened the floodgates to Christianity in Chorão. |
| Crisna | Tanador Mor, One of the Chief Brahmins of Goa.Helped the Portuguese in Conquest of Bardez and Salcette. |
| Raul Chatim | Gaunkar of Caraim, 16th century merchant and a guild head and collaborator with Afonso de Albuquerque and retained a high office in Goa.The first Goan Merchant to visit Portugal whom the King of Portugal gifted honorific mount of a horse. |
| Vincent Alvares | Medical practitioner and Chemist of his Majesty John V of Portugal. |
| Manuel Caetano Alvares | First Goan graduate of the Faculty of Medicine in Portugal. |
| Braz Fernandes | First ever Vice-Consul for Portugal in Bombay. |
| Rogério de Faria | Consul of Brazil and Luso-Goan businessman. referred to in Bombay Circles as "Prince Merchant". |
| Lucas de Lima | Theologian, Jurist and Canonist. |
| Braz Anthony Fernandes | Author, Historian and co-founded the Bombay Historical Society in 1925. |
| Jose Maria Tito Fernandes | Architect of Capela de Nossa Senhora da Saúde |
| Dr Chicot Vaz | Neurophysician. |
| Fr Anastasio Gomes | Theologian. |
| Renato da Penha Gonsavles | Scientist. |
| Luis Xavier Correia da Graca | scholar and jurist. |
| Augusto da Penha Gonsalves | High Court Judge in Angola. |
| Nancy Rodrigues | Miss Universe at the International Contest among the Indians of New York. |
| Anthony Colaco | First Goan to participate and win Gold medal at the Special Olympics 1991 for the Handicapped Minnesota, USA. |
| Francis Fernandes | Finger print expert and a former Police Inspector in North America. |
| Rev Fr. Sebastiao Xavier De Noronha | Missionary in the diocese of Mylapore for 47 years and parish priest of Vailanganni for 32 years where he worked with unabated zeal completely renovated the old small church of OUR LADY OF HEALTH into a magnificent shrine was born in Chorão Goa on 16 July 1865 |