The Culture Of Goa

THE CULTURE OF GOA 

I visited Goa during my spring vacation. It has very unique culture as it is a mixture of Indo-Portuguese culture. The Portuguese came to Goa in 1510 and left only in 1941.   

  

Religion

Goa has a history of communal harmony, but is mainly split between Christianity and Hinduism.

Language

The language most widely used in Goa is Konkani.

Costumes

Goan Catholic women commonly wear dresses/gowns, Skirts and trousers. The Goan Hindu women wear the traditional Indian sarees and the Salwar Kameez. The men wear the normal trousers and shirts.

Cuisine

Rice with fish curry (Xit kodi in Konkani) is the staple diet in Goa. Fish and sea food is a speciality of Goan cooking. Coconut and coconut oil is widely used in Goan cooking along with chili peppers, spices and vinegar giving the food a unique flavour. Goan sausages are a delicacy known world wide.  Exotic sounding dishes such as Xacuti, Vindalo and Sorpatel are cooked for the Christian festivals.  An unique Goan vegetable stew, known as Khatkhate, is a very popular dish during the celebrations of Hindu festivals. Goan Cuisine is also known for its rich and scrumptious deserts.  A rich egg-based multi-layered sweet dish known as bebinca is a favourite at Christmas. The other deserts are Batakas, Bolinas, Gons, Dosh etc.  It is also know for a wide variety of cakes which are unique only to Goa.  The favorite bread of the Goans is known as Pao.

Music

Goans are said to be born with music and dance in their blood. Mando and dulpod are the traditional musical forms of Goa. Goan Hindus are very fond of Natak (Drama), Bhajan and Kirtan. Some traditional Goan dance forms are the Dekhnni, Fugdi and Corridinho. Western social dancing is a part of most celebrations.

Sports

Goans are Football crazy. All other sports take second place.  Fishing is another favourite hobby of the Goan.

Festivals

Goa is known for its varied festivals. Every church and temple festival is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety.  It is very famous for its Carnival. Goa is famous for the architectural splendour of its many churches and temples. The famous Bon Jesus Basilica is the home of the mortal remains of St Francis Xavier – regarded by the Christians as the Patron Saint of Goa. Once every ten years, the body is taken down for veneration and for public viewing.

Architecture

Goa is known for its Indo-Portuguese style architecture. Many of the houses were built in the colonial style and are still standing tall.

Goa is one of the states of India but it is uniquely different from the other parts of India. It developed an international reputation in the 1960s as one of the prime stops of the legendary India-Nepal "hippie trail".

 

By Anthea