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Cyprian Fernandes: Yesterday in Paradise Eye witness: I was there!



Skip just started reading your book.Cannot believe it. But the chapter 2 the incident you described is really fresh in my mind. I was there. My aunt lived in that building we were in section one and though we had no phones word reached us. I was very young then.I remember a Seychellois lady who was a Jehovahs Witness with her bible praying out loud. This was after the priest left. I also remembered the quarry (doom) where we learnt to swim and after the drowning of the two boys we stopped going there. Boy its like living through that again.You have done a great job. I wish you all the success. Well done. Percy Sequeira, Toronto,Canda!

 

I enjoyed finding out more on the Goan links between Africa 13 November 2016

By P. Maddox -  
Available on Amazon.com
Format: Paperback
The book contains many fascinating insights into early modern Kenya, and the Goan influence and relationship with Kenya. Cyprian's experience as an investigative journalist in Kenya is also very interesting.
I enjoyed finding out more on the Goan links between Africa, the UK and India. Especially as I have a number of friends and acquaintances with that background. Aspects of his life resonated with me, having grown up in Africa, moved to Europe with some time in the UK, and now living in Australia.
If you are interested in Kenyan history, and Goan history relating to British colonialism, you will enjoy this clear and concise reflection of Cyprian’s experiences.

 




Hello St Teresa's Class '61:

Here is why I would recommend St Teresa's alumni to read Cyprian Fernandes' 1950-1974 Yesterday in Paradise (2016). 

 *  First 4 chapters on Goan migration, Nairobi - the early days, the unforgettable Eastleigh and schooling at St Teresa's are about our shared history that you will easily identify with. Chapter 18 deals exclusively with Fr Hannan, the Mr. Hyde. The other man inside the thick white cassock, walking with cigarette in hand and a sausage dog called Danny. The man with a cane we did not know. An eye-opener.

* There are then especially dedicated chapters on Goan heroes in sports, journalism and politics. Skip writes proudly and personally about them. They were his friends.

* As you read on, you will find  anecdotes on Goan culture, castes, cuisine and most interesting responses to the changing political climate.

* Finally, read for the insights and the first-hand experiences of a Kenyan investigative journalist, one of our own, Cyprian Fernandes. What happened to him after he left school from the time of the Mau Mau to the rise of African Nationalism. The result of which is the EA Goan global diaspora that we are a part of (I and a handful of 'non-Catholics' as appendages). 

So get a copy to understand our past from the one who sat at the desk in the class under the red tin roof and wooden walls. Like many of us, he too lived in unforgettable Eastleigh.

My heart overflows with thank you to Skippy.

Best to all,
Sultan (ethnologist, author the Bead Bai)

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