Saving history, NOT SATI

Rajendra Kerkar
Keri: Travelling deep into the hinterland of Goa, heritage lovers often come face-to-face with various neglected facets of the state’s heritage, and Sati stones depicting an illegal practice of self-immolation of women on their husband’s funeral pyre are one of them.
In Bhuimpal, Sattari, many Sati stones are lying in the open. They are not worshipped either, as villagers in the vicinity are unaware of their presence.
Though, Lord William Bentinck declared Sati an illegal act in 1823, it was still practiced in various parts of the country. In Goa, the Portuguese government also declared the custom illegal, but in spite of this, it prevailed clandestinely in some parts of the state.
Sati, as a social custom, prevailed during the pre-Portuguese rule from Canacona to Pernem and the evidence of it is in the form of hundreds of Sati stones in rural areas. In some places, the women as well as men worship these stones for blessings and prosperity.
These sacred stones either show a standing Sati in full form with both hands raised, right arm projecting from a pillar on the right side of the stone slab with its palm turned towards the onlooker. In some cases, the husband and wife often appear under the raised arm. On the topmost portion, the sun and moon are shown to indicate that the dedication and sacrifice made by the woman would be remembered forever as long as the sun and the moon exist. Some Sati stones display a Shiva linga representing the Kailash wherein the Sati was blessed by Lord Shiva.
In Keri of Sattari, there is a shrine called Kalasati. Folk songs are sung during the Shigmo festival which tells us that she jumped into the burning pyre of her dead husband near the temple hundreds of years ago. During the traditional hunting organized by the villagers, Lakhamo Gawas was killed by a wild animal. In the presence of invited villagers from Sattari, Mala, his wife, self-immolated herself.
“On every Tuesday, married women visit the shrine of Kalasati and worship her for the good of the family and for prosperity,” said Sarojani Bhiva Gaonkar, a folklorist from Surla Sattari.
In Paliem, Pernem, there are Sati stones inside the premises of the shrine of Vateram Kulpurush. Sanjeevani Narulkar from Hali, Chandel, says, “We have been worshipping for generations. For most religious and cultural ceremonies, visiting this shrine and worshipping these Sati stones are a must.”
In Canacona, the hamlet Mastimal reflects that the name is related with the word Mahasati meaning great, good, faithful wife, who self-immolated.
The state museum of Goa and archaeological survey of India museum at Old Goa have Sati-stones each depicting the funeral pyre and the widow bracing herself to jump into the pyre. The practice of Sati continued in Old Conquests (Tiswadi, Bardez and Salcete) until 1560 and the Portuguese were the first to abolish it in India. The practice of Sati may have spread in Goa during the Shilahara-Kadamba period.
But these interesting facets of the state’s past, now lie in open places. Says Vithal Shelke, a heritage lover from Anconem, Pernem, “In Quepem, while going to Netravali, on the right there are Sati stones in front of the Government High School, Colamb. They are neglected and no protection has been accorded to them.”
Conservation is necessary to ensure that our heritage (our artifacts, monuments and heritage houses) survive for the future generations. Every culture has produced its own unique artists that reflect the style of the times. Heritage is a nation’s historical buildings, monuments and even countryside. It is everything we have inherited from our ancestors. They express our culture, our dreams and aspirations, our values and beliefs
Verodina Ferrao De souza |muralist and sculptor
While working in heritage zones, the government should have a level of sensitivity high enough to understand the sanctity, vulnerability and delicacy of the site. The monuments that are standing for centuries are the light houses of our history and any haphazard activity carried out near them may result in irreparable damage. Digging with JCB machines for soak pits near St Cajetan Church and construction of toilet complexes using brick and mortar near Viceroy’s Arch, both within the 100-metre boundary by the PWD is one such irresponsible action by the authorities, which needs to be immediately corrected
Sudeep Dalvi |heritage and environment activist