The Goan Traditional Coconut Scraper - a story

My husband and myself had the overwhelming job of cleaning out my parents house as they are now older and have transitioned to a more senior-friendly abode.  One of the perks of the job included finding treasures that have lost their value in today's world of ultimate convenience!

I was so happy to find this coconut scraper that mum had brought all the way from Goa to Africa when she visited soon after she got married. When we made our way to Canada she insisted that the scraper also immigrate to our new home, much to my dad's dismay.  However he compromised and carried only the blade and left behind the antique wooden stool that accompanied the blade.  He promised my mother that he would build a new stool once we were settled in Canada.  True to his word, the stool you see on this item was made in the seventies by my dad.

This particular article has its antiquity in the blade. A solid metal instrument that was used in old Goan kitchens to replace the use of a knife today.  The long handle is very sharp on one side and was used for scaling fish and cutting all produce.  At the end of the blade was a serrated edged semicircle that was used to scrape coconuts to the grated stage.

Coconuts were highly valued in Goa. Their flesh was utilized in many Goan dishes, from appetizers, to mains and finally desserts and sweets. Their husks or outer covering was used to ignite the fires which provided the heat for cooking, boiling water for baths, and warmth.  The husk was also used as a scrub pad for cleaning pots and pans to cleaning the floors. The flesh was dried and used to extract coconut oil which was the only oil used in Goa for cooking, skin and hair care and many other health, personal and household uses.

Many Goans associate the coconut tree with the village liquor called Feni.  Even today with all the exotic international brands of liquor to choose from, most traditional Goans will opt for Feni.  Feni is used in many cocktails for the modern Goan to experience and is known for its unique smell and flavor.  In addition to alcohol, the coconut tree provided "toddy" which was a liquid rising agent used in most households instead of Yeast.  Local breads and sanaas were all made with toddy.

A Goan household often considered its wealth by the number of coconut trees they owned.

It was not unusual for me to see my mother in Canada scraping coconuts on weekends while seated on this stool in our Canadian kitchen.  The smart asses that we were, we found many smart comments to tease mum with as she labored lovingly over her task.  She smiled and laughed at us saying, "...yes but when it comes to eating the food you all are ever ready!"

When my daughter was about three years old we stopped by for tea on a weekend.  My mother was hard at work grating coconuts to make alebeles for us.  It was the first time my Canadian born daughter had seen such an appliance. She squatted next to my mother and checked her out from every angle until she finally blurted...." nana, when you die can you leave this for me".

My mother just burst out laughing, and it was a story she told and re-told several times over the past years.  My mother was most touched that finally someone else held her precious coconut scraper in the same high esteem as she did!