Reflections on ‘Purument’
-Bernard Fernandes
12th June 2014
An article yesterday on the esteemed Goan daily, ‘Herald’
entitled “Purumentachem Fest: Vendors left high and dry” piqued my curiosity.
Well, this word ‘Purument’ has been on my mind for the past few days, and when
the article did show up on the newspaper, I wished to explore the hidden wealth
on this subject.
It all started with the feast of the Holy Spirit in Margao
on Sunday, 9th June 2014. I was invited to a friend’s place for the
festive lunch, and on my way, was enamored by the impressive sight of the fair
on the Bus stand – Margao – Fatorda stretch. While at table, the discussion
shifted to the ‘purumentachi fer’, and I found myself following it very
closely. Being away from Goa for a long period, I was not very familiar with
the terms ‘purument’and ‘purumentachi fer’, although I had visited these places
and the fairs umpteen times as a young boy.
Back home, my inquisitive nature got the better of me and I inquired
with my family the history of this ‘purumentachi fer’. The word ‘purument’ is a
Portuguese word meaning provisions. On the occasion of the major feasts in
prominent places of Goa (I know of at least two, Santacruz and Margao), the
fair that is usually associated with any other feasts and place, over here is
termed ‘purumentachi fer’ (fair of provisions), and the feast itself ‘Purumentachem
fest’. In the calendar year, these
feasts are closer to the beginning of the monsoon season, and the fairs provide
a welcome opportunity for the people to prepare themselves for monsoon. At the
beginning of the monsoon season in Goa, there is a ban on fishing trawlers and
hence there is a paucity of fish for the fish curry-rice loving Goans. They settle for the next best – stock up
enough provisions for the monsoons! However this practise is dying slowly –
that was the thrust of the Herald article - since unlike in the past, fish is
available in the market throughout the year. The frozen fish is brought in
boxes from the other states to Goa to meet the demand.
The ‘purumentachi fer’ provides all provisions that will
stand the test of the entire monsoon period. It also saves one the trouble of
frequent visits to the market place, as also the cost and luxury of refrigeration.
The provisions include the prized dry shark and sting ray to mackerals and
prawns. Add dried red chillies, onions,
cocum, pickled vegetables, pulses et al...and you have a wonderful Goan cuisine
delight stored for the monsoon.
So much for ‘purument’!
Some of these age old practices and customs add another dimension to
life. The modern day term for purument may be ‘action-plan’. An action plan for proper time-management, an
action plan for effective execution of responsibilities, and above all an action
plan for our spiritual journey! All these
need thought and silent preparation. We need to stock ourselves with beneficial
healthy and energizing practices, good reading, passionate hobbies and simple
praying habits. These will stand the
test of time and help us reap rich rewards.
The great poet Rabindranath Tagore wrote this poem
“Spring
has passed. Summer has gone. Winter is here….
…and
the song I meant to sing remains unsung.
For
I have spent my days stringing and unstringing my instrument.”
Our life is short. Let’s not busy ourselves (and our days) stringing
and unstringing our instruments for we may never get to sing our song!
No comments:
Post a Comment