Kupari
| File:Marylouisrumao.jpg Kupari Woman Dressed in a traditional dress | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 45,000 | |
| Founder | |
| Portuguese | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| India (Vasai),North America,Middle East | |
| Religions | |
| Roman Catholic | |
| Scriptures | |
| The Bible | |
| Languages | |
| Kadodi,Samvedic,Hindi,Marathi,Latin, English |
Kupari (Portuguese: compadre[1][2] meaning God Father to one's child Word derived from Kumpari and feminine being Kumari or Portuguese Comadre[3]) are a sub group of East Indian community. This community is concentrated mostly in Bassein (Portuguese: Baçaim)[4], India, which is about 60 kilometres (37 mi) north of Mumbai. The population is about 40,000 to 45,000. The language spoken by the Kupari community is called Kadodi, which is a mixed dialect of Marathi, Konkani, and Marwari with very few words derived from Portuguese. 97% of this population is Roman Catholic[5], and the remaining minority is a mixed population of various Christian Protestant sects. Education along with religion and missionary works has helped upliftment of the Kupari society. They have 100% literacy rate.
History
The Kupari community came into existence during the Portuguese rule of Vasai in 15th century when most of the Samvedic Brahmans embraced Christianity as their possessions were confiscated and they were ostracized by orthodox Brahmans. Till the late 1960s and early 1970s the population was highly dependent on farming. The Kupari community is mostly concentrated around these parishes in northern Vasai:[6]
- Nirmal
- Agashi
- Nandakhal
- Gass
- Bhuigaon
- Umraala
- Naanbhat
- Shrilaiwadi
- Bolinj
- Mardes
- Wagholi
- Gomes Ali
- Rajodi
Costume
The traditional costume of the Kupari consists of a dhoti, white shirt, black sleeveless jacket and a red cap with earring pierced in the left ear for men, and a red blouse with red checkered kashta (a type of sari) for women.[7]
Traditions
- Baltim (Baptism)
- Komsar (Confession)
- Cominyao (First Holy Communion)
- Hamdao (Associated with marriage)
- Lagin (Wedding)
- Saudio (Celebration next to wedding day)
Recipes
- Variety of fish gravies (specially Bombil)
- Indel (specially prepared meat/fish to last for certain days) anglicized vidialo
- Vade (fried item made from mixture of flours)
- Dhapti (steamed item made from mixture of flours and vegetables)
- Hingoli (traditional specialty)
- Fogey (portuguese spherical bread)
- Dodal ( Portuguese Sweet)
- Fuddi ( Portugueuse feijoada (typical plate made with pork))
- Sanna (Rice Bread)
Festivals
Adresao
Kuparis today
Kuparis have been well educated for generations. They are hardworking, which aids their ventures in a variety of sectors. In recent years Kuparis have shown transition towards various sectors, including engineering, medicine, and corporate enterprises. A considerable amount of the Kupari population has relocated to the North America, Europe, Middle East and Australia.
Population and Distribution
This community is concentrated mostly in Bassein (Portuguese: Baçaim)[8], India, which is about 60 kilometres (37 mi) north of Mumbai. The population is about 40,000 to 45,000. Rough estimate of this population around North America is around 300 and around Middle East is of about 150.
Ethnicity
Most of the kuparis have their ancestry through samvedic brahmin community while some trace few relations in neighbouring vadvalite community as well as goan community due to inter communal marriages. Minor traces of portuguese ancestry in this community cannot be denied due to portuguese intercommunal marriages during portuguese rule as in case of St. Gonsalo Garcia.
History
On 23 December 1534, the Sultan of Gujarat, signed a treaty with the Portuguese and ceded Bassein with its dependencies of Salsette, Mombaim (Bombay), Parel, Vadala, Siao (Sion), Vorli (Worli), Mazagao (Mazgao), Thana, Bandra, Mahim, Caranja. In 1548, St. Francisco Xavier stopped in Bassein to preach. This marked the advent of christianity into Bassein. Conversion was carried out by preaching or by throwing bread into the wells. If the brahmins drank the waters from those wells they were ostracized by orthodox brahmin community and declared as heretics. These brahmins would then move out of the village premises. They were then helped by christian missionaries given new names, new dress code and brought into roman catholic faith. During this period most of them lost their assets as a result of shunning. These outcast individuals then turned to the church under which they were united. During this period Portuguese built 3 churches in present day northern bassein for these converts: Nirmal (1557), Agashi (1568), Nandakhal (1573) All these beautiful churches are still used by the Christian community of Vasai.
Religious Practices
Pirsao
Paya bharni
Bejimat
Yentar
Saatvoh
Upas
Religious Services
Baltim (Baptism)
Komsar (Confession)
Cominyao (First Holy Communion)
Chrisma(Confirmation)
Varad (Wedding)
Yentar(Final Funeral rites)
Family Life
Lifestyle and Culture
Olden Days
Modern Times
Language
Clothing
Traditions
Ayaez
Hamdao
Saudio
Education
Relations with outside world
Portrayal in popular entertainment
See also
References
External links
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