Everybody loves listening to stories and folk tales have their own charm. From stories narrated by parents and grandparents, they have been orally passed down the generations. However, in this modern age it is important to pen down their stories.Today, November 9, a unique literary treasure trove will be unveiled, offering readers a rich mosaic of Goan folklore. ‘Whispers and Reflections: Folk Tales from Goa’, a compilation of folk stories by Goans from across the globe, showcasing stories that span generations, cultures, and geographies. Compiled and edited by Dr Sharmila Pais, and published by Goa, 1556, this collection is a heartfelt tribute to Goa’s indigenous heritage and its vibrant storytelling traditions.
Dr Sharmila Pais e Martins is an associate professor of the Department of History, at St Xavier’s College, Mapusa and has been awarded a PhD in History for her study on the History and Politics of Elections in Goa: A Study (1821-1962). She has grown up listening to folk tales narrated to her by her father, Epitácio Pais and was aware of many stories that were submitted by enthusiastic writers and yet she was she was very much happy to read stories that she had never heard before in Goa. The widely popular folk tales are not part of the book which gives way for lesser known stories.
The journey of creating Folk Tales from Goa was no small task. “It was a month-long effort which quickly extended to several months, with contributions flowing in from various corners of the world including Goans living in Canada, Portugal, and Mumbai, but retain their roots in the folklore of Goa.
Some of the stories were written in Portuguese and Roman Konkani which can be read in the book. The collection features a diverse array of themes and contributors. “Bimã e A Boneca Que Falava’ is written by Carolina Da Costa, originally in Portuguese and translated into English. Two stories were in Roman Konkani, ‘Ek Tappta Saat (Seven for a Slap) by Maria Gomes and ‘Ganvcho Rakhonndar’ by Pedro J De Melo,” informs Dr Sharmila.
One recurring theme throughout Folk Tales from Goa is the world of spirits, guardian deities, and protectors. The Rakondar is a supernatural figure deeply embedded in the region’s folklore. Dr Sharmila says, “I have taught Indigenous Heritage of Goa for many years and through that paper, I am quite well versed with the Rakondars. Most of the Hindus, they believe in the Rakondars, but even the Catholics, some of the villages, they are well aware, they believe or they are just aware of his presence.”
While many of the tales explore the realm of spirits and the supernatural, others delve into the animal kingdom, where animals like the fox, tiger, and elephant take center stage. These stories offer a glimpse into Goa’s rich narrative landscape, with each animal embodying unique traits, morals, and lessons. The stories reflect Goa’s connection with nature. Each of the stories also beautiful illustrated by young artistes including Nadine Martins, Charlize Rangel, Andrea Rebello, Sabrina Carvalho, Nadine Martins and Alex Fernandes to add more bauty to the written word.
Some of the contributors are prolific writers, whose stories required little to no editing, while others are students from St Xavier’s College, where Sharmila has been teaching for many years. “I asked my students to write and some of them were little inhibited, they were not very confident of writing. In fact, I think out of the 60 stories, there are at least 16 stories that are written by students and faculty of St Xavier’s College, Mapusa,” explains Dr Sharmila.
Folklore is passed down orally through generations, often modified along the way by the narrator. Dr Sharmila adds, “The writers had to mention their source of information. From where they have heard the story because folktales have no authorship, we do not know who the author is, so that is why we call it as a compilation. That is how you distinguish classical stories from folk tales. Folk tales has no authorship, it is passed on from generation to generation. We ask these contributors to name their source and most of them, I think practically everyone, mentioned their source of information because they have heard it from someone who was close to them.”
For Dr Sharmila, this book is not just a collection. Her own family contributed six stories to the compilation, with contributions from her husband, Joffry Martins, and children, Ian and Nadine. In fact, Sharmila’s daughter, now 16, still loves to listen to the very stories that inspired her mother to compile this book. “My father Epitácio Pais was a very creative Portuguese writer and he was into short stories. In fact, his stories are now studied some universities in Brazil. People are doing research on his work. I am not a story writer as I am into history research. But my father used to tell me these stories when I was a child. I was just trying to recollect one folk story, of the cunning fox, and it is something that is very unique,” reminisces Dr Sharmila.
‘Folk Tales from Goa’ is not only about preserving these stories for future generations but also about rekindling an interest in storytelling among today’s youth. In her own classroom, she’s noticed that most of her students—many of whom are in their late teens—have never heard a folk story in their lives. It’s a stark contrast to the childhood she remembers, where stories were passed down from one generation to the next. But with ‘Folk Tales from Goa’, she hopes to ignite that spark once again, offering young readers a window into a rich tradition that they might otherwise never encounter. Dr Sharmila was ably assisted by Nandini Cardozo, a school counsellor and Megan R De Souza, a student pursuing her master’s degree in Konkani.
The book will be released today, November 9 at Broadway Book Centre, Panjim at 5 pm. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Goan stories or eager to learn more, ‘Folk Tales from Goa’ offers a unique opportunity to experience the magic of this Goa’s oral tradition.