Across the vast tapestry of Hindu persecution, few threads weave a narrative as tragic and heartbreaking as the saga of Goan Hindus in Mozambique. Their story is a testament to upholding Dharma in the face of multiple persecutions, sometimes for their religion and others because of their ancestral nationality. Sadly, their story is relegated to the fringes of historical recognition in India and Africa.
From Inquisition to Exile: Seeds of Displacement
The story of this Hindu community begins in Goa, a jewel on the western coast of India, where the Portuguese Inquisition cast a long and brutal shadow. From the late 16th to the 18th centuries, countless Hindus faced forced conversions, imprisonment, and even burnt alive in public execution for refusing to convert.
Samuel Usque, a Portuguese Jewish exile who settled in Ferrara, wrote in “Consolations for the Tribulations of Israel”:
“Many fine promises were made to induce them (Goan non-Catholics) voluntarily to become Christians, but they were firm and refused; whereupon they were dragged by the legs and arms to the Churches, where water was thrown on them. After this they were sent back to their afflicted parents, who sustained a miserable existence, who were told that their children were now Christians and would hate them unless they did the same. But they would not submit.
The king ordered them to be deprived of food and drink. At the end of three days, finding they would rather die than abandon their faith, they were dragged by the hair and beards, with blows and wounds, to the churches, were water was sprinkled on them. Those who were thus baptised had Christian names given to them, and were given in charge of Old Christians, to watch that they observed Catholicism and kept to the faith.
A father who had thus been taken with his six children, by learned reasoning recommended them to die rather than renounce their religion. They were all murdered. Some, sooner than abandon the religion of their fathers, threw themselves into wells or from windows. Their corpses were taken up and burnt, to inspire their surviving friends and relatives with fear and dread”
By the act of sprinkling some water on their foreheads, the tulsi was replaced by a cross in the Vrindavan and Aldona’s Kamats were transformed for example, to Costa, Couto, Sousa, Afonso, Ferrão, or Rocha, Prabhus became Cruz, Cunha, Faria, Lobo, Moniz, Noronha, Pinto, Rodrigues, Sousa and Naiks were morphed to Carvalho, Correa, Conceição, Fonseca or Gama - this list is not complete.”
Swiss-Goan scientist Bernardo Elvino de Sousa explains how the inquisition cruelly morphed the identity of Goan within years in his book ‘The Denaming of Goans: Case Studies of Conversions in Medieval Goa’.
Once converted, many of the new Christians turned informers and actively supported their colonial masters by betraying their Hindu brethren, primarily by divulging to the Portuguese the time and location when they were performing Hindu rituals that the Portuguese had prohibited. This called for strict punishment, and the only route of escape was to submit themselves to baptism.
To some, the punishment took the form of exile and banishment to distant African lands like Mozambique, then a Portuguese colony. These ostracised individuals, carrying the weight of persecution but determined to preserve the remnants of their rich Sanatana Dharma, became the unintended seeds of a new Goan Hindu community in Mozambique.
Building New Roots in a Foreign Land
With its vibrant African tapestry, Mozambique offered a faint semblance of similarity and refuge. Mozambique had century-old relations with Indian traders. Muslim traders from Malabar were a part of the commercial establishment long before the arrival of the Portuguese, and there were also Hindu traders on Mozambique Island (Ilha de Moçambique) when Vasco da Gama visited it in 1499.
Soon enough, the Goans, known for their entrepreneurial spirit and adaptability, carved a niche for themselves. They thrived in trade, established businesses, and built temples, quietly nurturing their Hindu traditions while navigating the cultural landscape of their new home. Over generations, they intermarried with local populations, creating a unique Indo-Mozambican identity.
However, fate had other plans.
Double Betrayal: From Sanctuary to Civil War
In the turbulent 1960s, when India reclaimed Goa from Portuguese rule, a dark chapter unfolded in Mozambique for the Hindu community there. Under the iron fist of dictator Antonio Salazar, the Portuguese government subjected Goan Hindus, many of whom had peacefully resided in Mozambique for generations, to brutalities.
Thousands of innocent Indian nationals, even though their lives were woven into the fabric of Mozambique, were ripped from their homes and herded into concentration camps for several months. Their businesses, painstakingly built, were callously confiscated.
India's invasion of Goa changed the entire pattern of life not only for British Indians in Mozambique but, remarkably enough, for the Portuguese Indians as well. The 11,000 Indians who, as "highly suspect," were almost immediately arrested or interned included about two-thirds of the Goan population. The carefully nurtured faith of the Governor General and other top government officials in the universal efficacy of the Portuguese Civilizing Mission seems to have been cruelly shattered, and a policy was adopted of treating all Indians as being opposed to the best interests of the state.
Africa Today, Vol. 10, No. 2 (Feb. 1963), pp. 12-13 reported.
Even Portuguese citizens born of Indian parents were denationalised and expelled. Mozambique authorities cancelled the residence permits of all Indian nationals living in any Portuguese territory.
And on July 18th, 1962 the first group of 50 were expelled from Mozambique. A week later, the Government announced plans to expel others in groups of 700 each "until Mozambique was completely rid of all Indians." By November, the Government felt it was within sight of its aim. On January 21, about 900 Indians passed through Dar es Salaam on their way to Bombay. Another 250 will be leaving shortly, almost the last of the 15,000 who, a year and a half ago, considered Mozambique "home."
Exile, Yet Again: Seeking Solace in Distant Shores
The Inquisition's scars barely crusted over, were ripped open anew by Salazar's decree. A new generation barely had time to heal from the trauma of their past when fate dealt them a cruel blow. Forced from their homes once again, Goan Hindu families fled, their wounds bleeding both past and present.
This time, the path led many of them westward, across the ocean, to Portugal, the former colonial power responsible for their initial displacement. Ironically, some sought refuge in the very nation that had orchestrated their ancestors' persecution.
Reclaiming Identity, Rediscovering Roots
After the tumultuous years of conflict and instability, a new dawn broke over Mozambique in 1992. As peace returned and the economy liberalised, the Indian community again began its remarkable journey of resurgence.
Today, approximately 20,000 individuals of Indian origin call Mozambique home, boasting Mozambican and Portuguese nationalities. A further 1,500 to 2,000 Indian nationals add to this vibrant tapestry, their roots primarily tracing back to Gujarat, Goa, Daman, and Diu.
Commerce, a familiar thread in the Indian diaspora's story, remains central to the community's identity. Many engage in retail and wholesale businesses, their entrepreneurial spirit weaving into Mozambique's economic landscape.
While carrying the wounds of their double displacement, Goan Hindus of Mozambique have kept their Dharma alive. They formed tight-knit communities, preserving their cultural heritage through language, food, and religious practices.
In Maputo, the capital city, their temple is a testament to this enduring faith, passed down meticulously through generations. This vibrant community even has a Facebook page, "Comunidade Hindú de Maputo - Hindú Samaj," to share information and connect.
But the story doesn't end there. There are at least four Hindu temples in Mozambique. One of them, in Ilha de Mozambique, is about 500 years old.
The Miracles of Salamanca and Saint Kalidasa
About two hours south of Maputo, in the small village of Salamanca, another beacon of faith shines bright: the Shree Ram Temple. Built in 1914, Kalidas, a saint who travelled from Gujarat to the African coast, inspired its construction.
Local legends whisper of miracles attributed to him, adding to the temple's mystical aura. One such tale speaks of the miracle in Mahoca, a nearby village facing a water crisis. Desperate for relief, the locals journeyed to Salamanga to seek the intervention of Saint Kalidas.
The colonial administrator, sceptical of the saint's powers, challenged him to perform a miracle by purifying the lagoon water in Mahoca. With defiance, Kalidas accepted. He refused the administrator's offer of a car ride, declaring, "Saints who walk and rivers that run are good things." He walked the distance, arriving before the administrator, who found him waiting by the lagoon.
Legend recounts that Kalidas touched and drank the water, miraculously making it potable. Today, the people of Mahoca drink from the lagoon, remembering the saint's intervention.
After this, Saint Kalidas completed his work in Salamanga. He instructed the grandmother of a local leader, Calane da Silva, to build a temple before disappearing, leaving no trace of his journey. The temple, begun in 1908 and completed in 1914, stands as a testament to the saint's impact and the enduring faith of the community.
Within its walls, a special "Dehri" dedicated to Mahatma Kalidas Bapa is a constant reminder of his spiritual influence.
The Tapestry Continues:
The journey of Goan Hindus in Mozambique is still ongoing. They are scattered across the globe, connected by shared history and a common ancestry. Some have returned to Goa, seeking to reconnect with their roots. Others remain in Mozambique, contributing to the nation's post-war reconstruction. Still others carry the torch of their heritage in Portugal and South Africa, ensuring the Goan identity remains vibrant and visible.
This is not just a story of the past; it is a story with contemporary relevance. In a world increasingly grappling with displacement, persecution, and the erosion of cultural identity, the Goan Hindu experience offers a poignant reminder of the enduring human spirit and the importance of remembering our collective histories.
Beyond Words: Rekindling the Flame
While words can only paint a partial picture, the true essence of this story lies in the living testimonies of those who have lived it. Engaging with the Goan Hindu community – hearing their stories, understanding their struggles, and celebrating their triumphs – is crucial to ensuring that their experiences are not relegated to the dusty corners of historical archives.
By amplifying their voices, the broader Hindu community must help them reclaim their rightful place in the narrative of global migration and cultural resilience.
The story of Goan Hindus in Mozambique is a tapestry woven with threads of pain and perseverance, loss and renewal. It is a story that deserves to be told, retold, and remembered for its historical significance and lessons about safeguarding heritage in the face of adversity.