A Baker from Goa
Questions & Answers
1. What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about?
Ans: The elders in Goa are deeply nostalgic about the “good old Portuguese days.” They fondly remember the famous Portuguese loaves of bread. The writer notes that while the original “eaters” (the Portuguese) may have left, the “makers” (the bakers) still exist, keeping the tradition alive through their age-old family profession.
2. Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know?
Ans: Yes, bread-making remains extremely popular and essential in Goa. We know this because the traditional mixers, moulders, and age-old furnaces still exist and are in use. The “thud and jingle” of the traditional baker’s bamboo can still be heard in some places, and the profession is often carried on by the sons of the original bakers.
3. What is the baker called?
Ans: In Goa, the baker is known as a “Pader.”
4. When would the baker come every day? Why did the children run to meet him?
Ans: The baker would visit twice a day: first, early in the morning when he set out on his selling round, and a second time when he returned after emptying his huge basket.
The children ran to meet him not for the loaves of bread (which were for the adults), but for the “bread-bangles” (bolinhas)—specially made sweet bread that they loved to eat.