Venita Gomes
A visit to the Goa Chitra museum, in Benaulim, is a journey back in time. Among the fascinating artifacts, some are a poignant reminder of everyday objects that have almost vanished from Goan homes. Let's delve into these lost treasures and explore the lives they once touched.
In the rhythmic hush of the fatorn and the grinding stone, fatornicho fator, the sound of creating fresh masala once filled Goan kitchens. These traditional grinders have slowly disappeared with the arrival of electric mixers.
Before metal utensils became the norm, Goan kitchens relied on handcrafted wooden spoons and ladles. These were simple implements, fashioned from a bamboo stick with a carved wooden or coconut shell end, perfect for stirring curries and serving rice, which were local dietary staples.
While homemade wines are less common today, Goan households traditionally produced these wines and stored them in large glass containers called garrafões. These vessels have now been largely replaced by commercially packaged wines.
People would pound grains and pulses into flour using a dantem, a grinding stone made of granite. The process was a strenuous exercise, but it also contributed to a healthy lifestyle.
Large wall clocks are still occasionally seen in Goan homes. But, with the rise of digital clocks, their functionality has waned. Nevertheless, these timepieces remain cherished for their aesthetic value and as a testament to a bygone era.
Clay pots, once a healthy option for cooking and storing food in Goa, have today been replaced by the convenience of metal and microwave-safe kitchenware.