Goa’s Forgotten Children: A Study of the Marginal Voices in Poskem by Wendell Rodricks
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Date
2026
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Publisher
ASSOC. PROF. MS. PRIYA CARVALHO E VIEGAS
Abstract
This project examines the often neglected and silenced tradition of the poskem system in Wendell Rodricks' novella, Poskem: Goans in the Shadows. Although Goa is renowned for its picturesque landscapes and Portuguese cultural heritage, the novella reveals a hidden social practice where children from disadvantaged backgrounds were taken in by affluent families, frequently under the pretence of charity, yet often facing emotional neglect and domestic servitude.
The study delves into the historical roots of the poskem tradition, tracing its origins back to colonial Goa and exploring its ties to caste systems, social stigma, and power disparities. Through meticulous textual analysis, the study examines the experiences of five pivotal characters such as Alda, Liana, Nascimento, Sita, and Shanta, emphasizing themes of marginalization, identity, resilience, trauma, and belonging. Each narrative showcases diverse experiences—from exploitation and abandonment to acceptance and empowerment—thus offering a complex representation of the poskem practice in Goan society. This research highlights the marginalized voices and contests the romanticized portrayals of Goan society.