Goa - Ethnicity

Despite being under Portuguese control for so long, majority of the people in Goa are still Hindu. Though, strong catholic influences are visible everywhere in the art, culture, and society. The demography of the state started changing after the coming of the Portuguese in the 15th century due to the spirit of propagating Catholicism they brought with them. The minority Muslim community that is found in this state is the result of the brief period in the early 14th century when Muslim rulers reigned over the state.

Goa - Arts and Crafts

The art and craft forms of Goa show a remarkable harmony between Portuguese and Indian cultures. The crafts of the state are intricately beautiful, capturing the fancies of tourists and locals alike. These crafts can be at best described as a mirror of Goa's perennial glory and beauty and they have carved a niche for themselves with the connoisseur's of art the world over. The major art forms of the state include bamboo craft, woodcarving, brass metals, seashell craft, papier-mâché, and wooden lacquer ware. Other important crafts of the state include jute macramé, fabric collage, plaster of Paris, crochet and embroidery, fiber and batik prints, fiber stone carving, coconut shell carving, metal embossing, silver and imitation jewelry, cotton dolls, soft toys, woolen tapestry, and artistic weaving.

Goa - Music and Dance

At the end of the day's work and before the evening meal, it is a common practice for the young and old of a Hindu family to join together in singing devotional songs. Some of these were set to classical ragas and has to be sung to their proper discipline to timing and notes, and thus they served as an introductory course in the appreciation of the higher forms of classical music. Christian music in the Goa originated out of the Church and the Goan music as one knows today is only this form of music. Every village has a band of its own. In the evenings, with the sipping of glass of wine, the sound of a piano fills the night air of the strings of a guitar plucked in tune to a twilight melody. Folk music of the state of include Mando-a love song and Suvari folk music-a traditional tone setter to all Hindu religious and festival performances, apart from others.

Dances of the state include Bhandad, Corredinho that are Portuguese folk dances, the Beauty Dance called Dekhni, apart from Fugdi and Dhalo, Ghode Modnti, Kala and Dashavatar, Lamp Dance, Tonvamel, and Morulem.

Goa - Fairs and Festivals

Due to the strong Roman Catholic influences, most of the festivals of Goa are Christianity-specific. Feast days, thanksgiving, monsoon celebrations, processions; all mark the Goanese festival calendar. Shigmo, the Goanese version of Holi, is celebrated in the month of February/March. The Feast of Our Lady of Miracles, celebrated 16 days after Easter, is secular by nature and is celebrated with pomp and gaiety by both Hindus and Christians.

Festa Dos Reis

Easter

Igitun Chalne, held at Sirigao temple in Bicholim during May, is one of Goa's most distinctive festivals. The main attraction of the festival comes when devotees of Goddess Lairaya walk across burning coals to prove their devotion. The Feast of St. Anthony in the month of June is also significant as it marks the beginning of monsoon. Besides such religious festivals, Goa is also known for its arts and crafts fairs, and food festivals.

Goa - Attire

Unlike most other parts of India, Goa has a distinct style in every sphere of life. The people of the state have taken life as it comes and that spirit distinguishes them from others. One peculiar sight in Goa is that of skirts outnumbering saris on the roads, due to strong Portuguese influences. Traditional clothing also has its importance in this society and Konkani women, wearing the sari in a style that is quite different from any other place in India, can be still seen in great numbers.

Goa - Cuisine

The Goan cuisine is an interesting mix of varied influences. Though the recipes and techniques of the two major communities there, Christians and Hindus are quite different, there are some points where they come together to produce culinary wonders. The ever-popular pork vindaloo is a result of this combination. Apart from these two influences, there is a telling influence of Portuguese cooking. Goan food is simple but one has to bear in mind that most, though not all, of it is chili hot, spicy, and pungent.

Feni is Goa's famous contribution to the world, the drink prepared from cashew apples. Feni preparation is in fact a cottage industry in Goa and feni is brewed in many a house. Other alcoholic drinks are cheaper here compared to the other states in India.