Epidemics in Chorão Island

The Chorão Epidemic killed over a thousand people in Chorão, an island along the Mandovi River near Ilhas, Goa, India. It also caused thousands to flee the island, and led to the closure of Real Colégio de Educação de Chorão in 1859. The Epidemic and its after-effects left the island deserted for almost 100 years.

History

In the Second half of 18th century the population of Chorão reached its peak, at 22,000 inhabitants; with roughly 8000 in the parish of Our Lady of Grace Church.[1][2]

It is believed that the Epidemic started in the year 1766 but that its consequences came into full swing in 1775. The epidemic is believed to have first started in the Parish of Our Lady of Grace Church in June 1775, rapidly spreading throughout the Island, especially in the village of Querem, largely wiping out the once highly populated area. In the Our Lady of Grace Church, within a period of less than six months the congregation declined from 8000 to 1700. Many fled the Island but some remained; unwilling to leave the land of their ancestors.[3][4]

In 1808, Chorão was granted permission by the Portuguese Government to construct new houses to attract immigration. Years later, between 1809 and 1812 there was an attempt to enter the names of the newcomers in the book of Joneiros, though this was largely unsuccessful due to the epidemic.[5][6]

According to French traveller Denis Louis Cottineau de Kloguen who visited the Island: "Chorão Island was formerly pretty populous, but is now almost deserted, being deemed very unhealthy: the whole number of individuals on the Island is about one hundred and fifty".[7]

According to José Nicolau Da Fonseca: "Chorão Island once had many villas owned by Portuguese grandees but the island is now almost deserted, on account of its insalubrity.[8]

After a lapse of many years the fever re-appeared in Chorão Island in 1878, increasing the toll of human life.[9]

Causes

The Epidemic was attributed to many causes: among them was the absence of free ventilation of air which was stifled and vitiated by dense willows on one side and on the other by hill that obstructed the houses; warm and heavy air caused by rocks and scarcity of good drinking water during hot seasons, which obliged the people to have to drink well water, at a time when most of the wells were contaminated.[10]

Diaspora

Many have emigrated in search of higher employment, allowing the economy of Chorão island to recover somewhat.

References

  1. ^ O Indispensavel, No18 de 4 August 1913, pages 209–210
  2. ^ Augusto da Penha Gonsalves-Chorão na Revista Academica, Ano I, No2(Natal de 1913)page9
  3. ^ Revista Academica cit No,2, page9
  4. ^ The Island of Chorão (A Historical Sketch) 1962 By Francisco Xavier Gomes Catão page 7 OCLC 29051875
  5. ^ Decree of Government, 28 March 1808(registered in the Book of the Secretaria Geral No.1 page 238)
  6. ^ Bosq.Hist.Cit.II.Page 87
  7. ^ An Historical Sketch of Goa, the Metropolis of the Portuguese Settlement in India By Denis Louis Cottineau de Kloguen Page 146 Publisher Madras: W. Twigg, 1831 OCLC 863550678
  8. ^ An Historical and Archaeological Sketch of the City of Goa (1878) Page 50 By José Nicolau Da Fonseca, Thacker & Co Ltd OCLC 4881453
  9. ^ O Indispensavel cit:No.18, Page 210.
  10. ^ The Island of Chorão (A Historical Sketch) 1962 By Francisco Xavier Gomes Catão page 7 OCLC 29051875

Bibliography

  • The Island of Chorão (A Historical Sketch) By Francisco Xavier Gomes Catão, Mar Louis Memorial Press, Alwaye (1962)
  • An Historical Sketch of Goa, the Metropolis of the Portuguese Settlement in India By Denis Louis Cottineau de Kloguen, Publisher Madras: W. Twigg, (1831)
  • An Historical and Archaeological Sketch of the City of Goa By José Nicolau Da Fonseca (1878)

Notes

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