Chorão (Island)

Chorão Choddnnem or Chodna Ilha dos Fidalgos
Island
Location of Chorão (dark blue) in Ilhas de Goa (light blue)
Chorão Show map of Goa Chorão Show map of India
Coordinates: 15°32′50.7″N 73°52′45.8″E / 15.547417°N 73.879389°E / 15.547417; 73.879389Coordinates: 15°32′50.7″N 73°52′45.8″E / 15.547417°N 73.879389°E / 15.547417; 73.879389
Country	India
State	Goa
District	North Goa
Taluka	Ilhas
Named for	Island of Noblemen (in Portuguese)
Government
• Type	Panchayat
Elevation	8 m (26 ft)
Population
• Total	5,345[1]
Demonym(s)	Chodnekar
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Postcode	403102
Telephone Code	0832

Chorão, also known as Choddnnem or Chodna, is an island along the Mandovi River near Ilhas, Goa, India. It is the largest among other 17 islands of Goa. It is located 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) away from the state capital, the city of Panjim and 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) 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 ferries from Ribandar or Divar Island, 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.^[2]

Etymology

Etymologically the Islands name Choddnnem is derived from the Sanskrit word Chuddamonnim.^[3][4] Chudda means head wear and Monnim (Mani) signifies some thing worn in the shape of a necklace or a jewel of cylindrical shape.^[5][6]

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 (Island of Noblemen).

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 (4th-3rd century BC to 3rd-4th century AD)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 (Sinai in the Portuguese era). Of the 96 Sinai clans 10 families settle in Chorão.^{[7][8][9][10]} The Shenvi Brahmins would henceforth go on to dominate the socio-economic and religious sphere of Goan life.^[11]

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".^[12][13]

According to José Gerson da Cunha Chorão was a site of an ancient Tirtha "or sacred pool".^[14] and was known as Mahakshetra or "Great country or place"^[15]

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.^[16]

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".^[17] With incredible brevity the whole of the Island of Chorão prepared itself for the general baptism which was fixed for the 8th of 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(sponsor) 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.^[18][19]

Luís Fróis says that a greater number of those who embraced Christianity in Chorão were Chaudarins (Toddy-Tappers). 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 (Chorão Island).^[20]

Some Chorão women on the occasion of their Baptism, wore some much Gold to the extend of astonishing the missionaries. They belong to the caste of Chardo.^[21] In 1566 Chorão had 2470 converts and few Brahmins had promised to become Roman Catholics later.In the year 1582 there were three thousand converts in Chorão and all its inhabitants were Roman Catholics and many came from outside to receive Baptism.^[22]

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 (Island of Noblemen).^[23]

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.^[24]The fidalgos would be found often lounging near the ferry point on the south-eastern side of the island, waiting for patmarios (sail boats) 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 (snack) and sipped the hot cha (tea) at that spot.^[25]

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 (Island Cheese of 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.^[26]

Forts of Chorão

Two well equipped fortresses guarded Chorão Island from the incursion of Marathas. The Fortaleza de São Bartolomeu de Chorão( Saint Bartholomew Fort of 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(tinha onze pecas) and was used for the defense of the fort that surrounded Chorão island and those of Calvim.^[27] 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.^[28]

Seminary of Chorão

Seminary of Chorão

Real Colégio de Educação de Chorão

A seminary called the Real Colégio de Educação de Chorão was established in April 1761. It belonged of the Parish of Nossa Senhora de Graça Our Lady of Grace Church (Chorão Island), on Chorão island

Decline

In the 1850s, with the decline of Old Goa, the island of Chorão too fell from grace and was gradually abandoned by the residents. As a result, the Seminary of Chorão village, on Chorão island, went into decline as well and finally had to be shut in 1958. Subsequently, the retables of Nossa Senhora da Assunção (Our Lady of Assumption) Church and the Nossa Senhora do Amparo/Patrocinio (Our Lady of Protection) Chapel of the Seminary of Chorão were shifted to the Saligao Church which had already started in 1953.

Fires

The Chorão seminary institution on Chorão island seems to have had some strange affinity for fire:

• It was accidentally burnt down on 1 January 1591, but rebuilt soon after on a very extensive scale.
• It got burned down a second time on 26 June 1617,
• A third time on 3 December 1663, and
• A fourth time on 6 January 1675.
• If all this was not sufficient, finally in 1698 its lofty tower was struck by lightning and the buildings greatly damaged.^[29]

Villages

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

Nossa Senhora de Graça Our Lady of Grace Church (Chorão Island)

Ambelim

This village is located on the north west of the island.

Village Church

St Bartholomews Church, Chorão

Caraim (Caroi)

This village is located on the north east of the island.

Village Church

Nossa Senhora De Saude Chapel.

Pseudohistory, Legends and Myths

• There are several legends connected to this place. One of them tells about of the islands emerging from diamonds that were thrown away by Yashoda the mother of Lord Krishna.(However, from Geological point of view it can be recognized as nonsensical)
• The island was said to be a place of learning and said to have a University of Sanskrit (though no archaeological evidence supports this theory)
• When the Portuguese began the evangelizing of Goa, many Hindus chose to relocate their idols to the villages of Naroa and Marcela (though both places were in Portuguese dominion at the time)
• It is also thought,that the island had small temples for deities like Ganesh, Mallinath, Devki-Krishna, Santa-purush, Narayan, etc. The main deity Devaki-Krishna and its associated deities of Bhumika Devi, Laxmi Ravalnath, Mallinath, Katyayani, Chandeussor and Dadd-Sancol were taken to Mayem in Bicholim and then relocated to their present location at Marcel.(both places were in Portuguese dominion at the time).
• On Caroi Vaddo of Chorão, on the banks or river Mandovi, there were temples dedicated to goddess Gaja Lakshmi and Ravalnath.(though no archaeological evidence supports this theory)

Though the Indigenous peoples of Chorão Island who embraced Roman Catholicism in 1560 and their descendants were not familiar with such Myths and Legends since these Myths were created in 19th century by Migrant Hindus, also the Indigenous peoples of Chorão Island were never adherents of Vaishnavism. Most of these Pseudohistory, Myths and Legends has been Debunked and had been written by 19th century Pseudohistorians or Crackpots .

Temples

Like in all of Goa, the high immigration rate of Hindus from surrounding states 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 Invasion of Goa by India.

Many temples have been built 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. Here you will see lots of 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

• Locu Sinai(Lucas de Sa) — Chief tax collector and opened the floodgates to Christianity in Chorão.
• Fr Anastasio Gomes — Theologian.
• Lucas de Lima — Theologian, Jurist and Canonist.
• Jose Maria Tito Fernandes — Architect of Nossa Senhora De Saude Chapel.
• Rev Dr Manuel Caetano Alvares — First Goan graduate of the Faculty of Medicine in Portugal.
• Dr Chicot Vaz — Neurophysician.
• Renato da Penha Gonsavles — Scientist.
• Dr Vincent Alvares — Medical practitioner and Chemist.
• Luis Xavier Correia da Graca — scholar and jurist.
• Augusto da Penha Gonsalves — High Court Judge in Angola.
• Nancy Rodrigues — Miss Universe (1990–91) at the International Contest among the Indians of New York.
• Anthony Colaco — Gold medalist at the Special Olympics 1991 for the Handicapped USA.
• Francis Fernandes — Finger print expert and a former Police Inspector in North America.

See also

Our Lady of Grace Church (Chorão Island)

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

References

• The Island of Chorão (A Historical Sketch) 1962 By Francisco Xavier Gomes Catão, Mar Louis Memorial Press, Alwaye
• Etimos das Aldeas de Goa, em o Oriente Portuguese,Chantre F.X VAZ, Vol XIII(1916)
• An Historical and Archaeological Sketch of the City of Goa (1878) By Jose Nicolau Da Fonseca
• Goa: Hindu temples and deities By Rui Gomes Pereira, Antonio Victor Couto Published by Pereira, 1978,Page 41,187