Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know?

Yes, bread-making is still popular in Goa. Bread-making started during the days of Portugese rule in Goa and it has become a tradition in Goa. Though the old bakers have died but their sons have carried the legacy forward. The time-tested and age-old furnaces are still used. Many such mixers, moulders and the bakers of the loaves are a part of Goan public. 

The baker is known as 'pader' in Goa.

The baker used to come at least twice a day. He used to come when he was on his selling round and again when he returned after selling all the items. The children ran to meet him because they longed for bread bangles which were made specially.

The elders in Goa often recall nostalically about the good old Portuguese days, the Portuguese and their famous loaves of bread. The Portugese might have left but their art of baking is still carried as a tradition.

(i) The bakers used to wear a dress named ‘Kabai’ which was a single-piece long frock reaching out to the knees.

(ii) When the author was young, the bakers used to wear shirts and trousers which were shorter than full length ones and longer than half-pants.