The Goan Institute in Zanzibar-1

Members of The Goan Institute, Zanzibar, and their families as seen in 1954.

Photo Credits: Herbert Fernandes

[The Goan Institute, which was subsequently renamed the Zanzibar Institute following the independence of Tanzania, is one of the oldest institutes for the Goan diaspora in East Africa. The below article was written by Julius Fernandes, for the Managing Committee of The Goan Institute, Zanzibar, on October 10, 1954, and it was published in the golden jubilee brochure of The Goan Institute, Zanzibar 1904-1954.]

The year 1954 is a memorable one in that the Goan Institute is celebrating its Golden Jubilee and it is therefore right and proper on the part of the Managing Committee to write a brief history of the Institute for inclusion in its Golden Jubilee Brochure.

The celebration of this Golden Jubilee is a tribute to the memory of those pioneers, who from small beginnings and under trying circumstances reared a Club which in the course of years has grown to maturity fulfilling the need for which it was established. It is very difficult to write briefly of its long existence and the task has been made more difficult by the scanty information available.

On October 10, 1904, a meeting of the Goan Community wad held at the premises of Mr. C. T. Rodrigues to discuss the proposal for the establishment of a Goan Association. At this meeting there were about 44 gentlemen present and Dr. M. F. de Albuquerque was proposed to the Chair.

A club was founded on this memorable day and was named "The Goan Association" by a unanimous decision. It is an achievement of which all members are justly proud and have good reason to rejoice by celebrating its golden Jubilee.

The first report for the year 1904-1905 of the Goan Association states that the Association started under very trying circumstances and was housed in a small room lent for the purpose by some members of the Association.

There were many difficulties in the path of its progress sometimes even menacing its very continuity, but due to the earnestness and zeal of its members it has stood firm. The report also records the following "through the efforts of Messrs. A. T. de Souza-Ticlo, L. A. Nunes and J. C. V. Lobo, members of the old Portuguese Club, that Club has been amalgamated with the Goan Association, thereby bringing in five additional members and a substantial sum of 768.20 towards the funds."

The Goan Association stood the test of time for nearly 12 years but in 1916 a controversy arose among its members mainly because there were a number of person who for various reasons did not join the Association. To settle these differences meetings were held at various times and the Association's name was changed to Gremio Indo-Lusitano and then again to Gremio Goano. But this did not improve matters. Dissatisfaction still prevailed.

Finally at a meeting held on March 7, 1919, under the chairmanship of the late Mr. D. F. Santamaria it unanimously decided, in order to meet the wishes of all present, to adopt the name of the "Goan Institute". Ever since this date the Goan Institute has existed such to the great satisfaction of the members concerned and the Goan Community in general.

The Goan Institute at Zanzibar as seen in 1954. Photo courtesy: Herbert Fernandes

All along this period the Goan Institute was accommodated in a hired house and the need to possess a house of its was keenly felt. Therefore a Building Committee was appointed a general meeting held on the 4th July, 1919, composed of the following members: J M Noronha (Secretary), S, de Sa (Treasurer), Dr. H. L. Braganza, A. J. de Souza-Ticlo and Theoton de Souza (members).

Due to the strenuous efforts of the above committee a reasonable sum of Rs. 20,000 was collected by means of voluntary contribution and by floating shares among members. With this sum the present building, a picture of which appears in this Brochure, purchased in 1923. It stands as a glorious monument in commemoration of the efforts and sacrifices of our predecessors. Facing the building is a piece of land which has been leased from His Highness's Government and is used by the Institute as a garden and a playground for members' children.