The Portuguese word for Christmas is Natal, which is how the Gujaratis refer to the festival. Incidentally, the word is also the name of a province in South Africa. It is widely believed that the region was named so since the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama discovered it on the day of Christmas. It is no surprise that in Goa too, where the Portuguese had their strongest presence, the festival is known as Natali. So next time, when a Gujarati wishes you “Shubh Natal” (Merry Christmas), know that it is a warm remnant of his Portuguese past which is making its presence felt in his native language.