Claiming the Right to Say No-30 Nov 09-EQUATIONS - Equitable ...

Tourism in Goa: A Narrative
Construction of Hosts and Visitors
By Dr. Victor Ferrao
Rachol Seminary
Goa has been described diversely by different authors. The luzitanization
of Goa resulted in its description as Goa Dourada (Golden Goa), following
closely to its heels, is the Rome of the East, emerging from its encounter
with Christianity. Presently, we have the emergence of Goa Indica, a
reactionary corrective to the above narratives of Goa that largely
described Goa without any reference to our country India. While most of
these narratives about Goa are fiercely debated, there seem to be one
narrative that is unreflectingly absorbed and assimilated by every one.
Although, this narrative is hardly fifty years old, we seem to have accepted
it without any serious question. Yes, when it comes to the description of
Goa as the land of Sun, Sand and Surf, an ultimate tourist destination, we
seem to believe that this narrative somehow captures and represents
accurately the truth of our native place. The naive acceptance of this
narrative has a price. Hence we need to problematize it.
The study attempts to understand how the narrative of tourism impacts both
Goans and non-Goans. Hence we begin with a close look into the narrative
dimension of our life, strive to understand how the narrative of tourism
structures our life and self-creation, and finally try and propose alternatives
that can help us to experience a fuller and wholesome life in Goa.
Narrative Foundations of Society
The Hermeneutical turn has proved to be a big-bang in Philosophical
circles. It has allowed us to produce diverse shades of critical thought.
One development devolving from the hermeneutical mode of thinking
focuses our attention on the narrative or story and story telling dimension
of our experience. Narrative is understood as a primary way of organizing
1