Kupari
Samvedi Christian community woman dressed in a traditional dress
|
|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 40,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| India (Vasai), North America, Middle East | |
| Religions | |
| Roman Catholicism | |
| Languages | |
| Samvedi, Marathi, Latin, English, Hindi |
Kupari (Portuguese: compadre referring to the father of one's godchild; word derived from Kumpari and feminine being Kumari or Portuguese Comadre) or Samvedi Christians are a sub-group of East Indian community. This community is concentrated mostly in Bassein (Portuguese: Baçaim),India, which is about 60 kilometres (37 mi) north of Mumbai. Kupari Ancestors were Mixture of Samvedic Brahmins, Goans and Portuguese because of inter marriages between them. The population is about 40,000 to 45,000. The language spoken by the Kupari community is called Kadodi, which is a mixed dialect of Marathi, Konkani, and with very few words derived from Portuguese. 97% of this population is Roman Catholic, and the remaining minority is a mixed population of various Christian Protestant sects. Education along with religion and missionary works has helped upliftment of the Samvedi Christian community.
The Samvedi Christian community came into existence during the Portuguese rule of Vasai in the 15th century when most of the Samvedi Brahmans converted to Christianity as their possessions were confiscated and they were ostracized by orthodox Brahmans. Samvedi Christians are originally Samvedi Brahmans. Their language is known as the Samvedi language which is a dialect of Marathi. Till the late 1960s and early 1970s the population was highly dependent on farming. The Samvedi Christian community is mostly concentrated around these parishes in northern Vasai: The first three in the list Agashi,Nirmal and Nandakhal were the only 3 churches build in North Vasai during the Portuguese rule over Bassein.Over 9 Churches in total were built by the Portuguese in whole of Vasai of which these 3 Churches in North Vasai. These 3 Churches were further bifurcated for the convenience of the people.
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