You must be asking yourself if Uncle Lovino would ever tell you about the kiss, I hope this answers your question. In my time, a kiss was much more than you imagined. In our small Goan village Curdi, a kiss was indeed something sacred. Contrary to the common notion that it was only an expression of romantic love, it also conveyed respect and a link between people.

 

In our culture, when an elder gives you a kiss on the forehead it is a blessing to let you know that you are loved and protected. When a parent kisses their child they are giving them all of their hopes and dreams and prayers. You know, in the church when we kiss each other on the cheek it’s not just some act, it is a symbol of peace, of being one in Christ’s eyes.

 

But we were always careful, too. A kiss between lovers, ah, that was serious. It was shy, usually pilfered behind a mango tree or in the midst of the feast of Saint Francis Xavier when no one would notice. We learned to honor this closeness, to hold it sacred and not to partake of it casually.

 

So, you see, from this explanation, a kiss in our Goan tradition is more than just a peck on the lips; it is like a connection between souls , a fine line that impels us to our family, faith and heritage.