Unravelling History: The Village of Arossim, Goa

Study the past if you would like to divine the future, said Confucius. Known to the outside world for its scenic beach, the rural South Goan village of Arossim has a long and complex history. Situated between the Arabian Sea and tributaries of the River Sal, this agricultural land has sustained inhabitants since Neolithic times. Early tribal rituals, Hindu traditions, and Christian practices have each contributed through the centuries to the unique character and customs of the people. Themistocles (Themis) D’Silva, in this revision of his 2011 book, explores the forgotten and concealed history of the region to the Megalithic Period, after recognizing that stone clusters nearly hidden in the rice fields are in fact monuments of an ancient settlement. These megaliths were erected perhaps 3000 years ago and still stand tall, although their significance has been forgotten. D’Silva also takes us to the land, its people, shrines, festivals and feasts, temples, notable facts and events, priests and nuns, personalities from the past, slavery in colonial Goa, and more. The author, who grew up in Arossim, portrays many aspects of the village, including the ancient system of self-government and the profound effects of Portuguese colonialism. He unravels the origins of many earlier and present day local customs, some of which are fading as Arossim modernizes and changes. These pages are an inspiration and a model for how you too can discover your own village.