Gokal Versi Vasram

Mr. Gokal Versi Vasram

All Nicknames

• Maji Mafu

Town of birth

• Sarodar

Province of birth

• Kathiawar

Country of birth

• British India

Date of Birth

• 1890

Date of Death

• 1960

Place of Death

• Dar es Salaam

Country of death

• Tanganyika

Name of Cemetery and plot no

• SeaView Ismaili Cemetry
• Dar es Salaam

Place of longest stay

• Dar es Salaam

Profession or occupation carriedout for the longest period in life

• Dukawalla-Merchant

Where-City or Country

• Dar es Salaam

Family tree

Parents

Versi Vasram Mamdani

Siblings

Jaffer Versi Vasram

Rehemtallah Versi Vasram

Partners

Kamarbai Manji 1894–1960

Children

Kulsum Noordin Jamal Dharshi

Maherali Gokal Versi 1912–1991

Nazarali Gokal Versi 1908–1998

Nurubanu Ramzanali Shariff Jamal 1927–2014

Sakar Kassamali Hirji Jessani

Shela Gokal Versi

Shirin Rajabali Jessa Punjani 1932–2006

Born in 1890 Sarodar

Versi Vasram Mamdani(Born in Sarodar).

Gokal Bhai was from Sarodar just south of Jamnagar in Kathiawar and immigrated to the then German East Africa just before on onset of 1st World War around 1912.

Through the help of his brothers, he started a small duka in Kariakoo ('Karrier Korps') area of Dar es Salaam, opposite the market hall, selling 'piripiri bizari'- small packets of spices, cigarettes etc. He did not speak the Kiswahili language but kept the shop open late hours and also had a drinking water 'tungi' for passersby thereby earning the goodwill and the nickname 'maji mafu' good water.

Gokalbhai was humble and grateful for his good luck in being in Africa and used to feed the piqeons on the roof of his building daily. He said that the animals were voiceless and needed humans to care for them. He maintained all the old Khoja Satpanth rituals such as breaking coconuts for good luck etc.that he had brought over with him from Kathiawar.

Gokal Versi died in 1960.

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  Gokal Versi Family, Kunduchi Beach Area, Dar es Salaam 1960's.

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  Gokal Versi Vasram circa 1960's.

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