Aoufa at 19:26, 28 February 2026

2026-02-28T19:26:12Z

117.198.72.43: /* Language */

2021-06-27T05:03:02Z

Language

New page

{{More citations needed|date=June 2019}}
This article is about the culture of natives of the [[India]]n state of [[Goa]]. [[Goans]] are commonly said to be born with [[music]] and [[Association football|football]] in their blood. This is because football and music are deeply entrenched in Goan culture.

==Religion==
[[File:Churches_in_Old_Goa.png|thumb|[[Old Goa]] is considered to be the heart of [[Goan]] culture and religion.]]

According to the 1909 statistics in the Catholic Encyclopedia, the total Catholic population was 293,628 out of a total population 365,291 (80.33%).<ref>{{cite book
|chapter=Archdiocese of Goa
|author=Ernest Hull
|title=Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 6
|date=1909
|publisher=Robert Appleton Company
|location=New York}}</ref> Within Goa, there has been a steady decline of Christianity due to Goan emigration, and a steady rise of other religions, due to non-Goan immigration. Conversion seems to play little role in the demographic change. As per the 2011 census, Hindus constituted 65%, Christians constituted 27% and Muslims constituted 6% within the state of Goa. Smaller minorities of about 0.1% each followed [[Sikhism]], [[Buddhism]], or [[Jainism]].<ref>http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW30C-01%20MDDS.XLS</ref>

==Festivals==
The most popular celebrations in the Indian state of Goa are the [[Goa Carnival]], (Konkani:''Intruz''), [[Sao Joao Festival in Goa|São João]] (Feast of John the Baptist)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.goatourism.gov.in/festivals/christian-festivals/201-sao-joao|title=Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, India - SAO JOAO|last=Administrator|website=www.goatourism.gov.in|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-11-27}}</ref> [[Ganesh Chaturthi]] (Konkani: ''Chavoth''),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.goatourism.gov.in/festivals/hindu-festivals/184-ganesh-chaturthi-or-chovoth|title=Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, India - GANESH CHATURTHI or CHOVOTH|last=Administrator|website=www.goatourism.gov.in|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-11-27}}</ref> [[Diwali]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.goatourism.gov.in/festivals/hindu-festivals/185-diwali|title=Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, India - DIWALI|last=Administrator|website=www.goatourism.gov.in|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-11-27}}</ref> [[Christmas]] (Konkani: ''Natalam''),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.goatourism.gov.in/festivals/christian-festivals/195-christmas|title=Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, India - CHRISTMAS|last=Administrator|website=www.goatourism.gov.in|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-11-27}}</ref> [[Easter]] (Konkani: ''Paskanchem Fest''), Samvatsar Padvo or Sanvsar Padvo, [[Shigmo]],<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books/about/Feasts_festivals_and_observances_of_Goa.html?id=Ot6BAAAAMAAJ|title=Feasts, festivals, and observances of Goa|last=Bravo da Costa Rodrigues|first=Maria de Lourdes|publisher=L & L Publications|year=2004|location=Goa|pages=43–74}}</ref> The largest festival in the state is the Feast of St. Francis Xavier (Goicho Saib).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.goatourism.gov.in/festivals/christian-festivals/203-feast-of-st-francis-xavier|title=Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, India - FEAST OF ST FRANCIS XAVIER|last=Administrator|website=www.goatourism.gov.in|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-11-27}}</ref> Goa is also known for its New Year's celebrations. The Goan Carnival is known to attract a large number of tourists.

==Education==
{{main|Education in Goa}}

==Cuisine==
{{main|Goan cuisine}}
[[Rice]] with [[Fish (food)|fish]] [[curry]] (''Xit kodi'' in [[Konkani language|Konkani]]) is the staple diet in Goa.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/eating-out/food-travel-soul-stirring-seafood-in-india/as66630323.cms|title=Food travel: soul-stirring seafood in India|last=Chowdhury|first=Arka Roy|date=Nov 14, 2018|work=Times of India Travel|access-date=2018-11-27}}</ref> [[Goan cuisine]] is renowned for its rich variety of fish dishes cooked with elaborate recipes. [[Coconut]] and [[coconut oil]] is widely used in [[Goan]] cooking along with [[chili pepper]]s, [[spice]]s and [[vinegar]] giving the food a unique flavour. [[Pork]] and beef dishes such as [[Vindaloo]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/0/24432750|title=BBC Food - Curry: Where did it come from?|last=Taylor|first=Anna-Louise|date=Oct 11, 2013|website=BBC Food|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211232211/http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/0/24432750|archive-date=December 11, 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=2018-11-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thetiffinbox.ca/2011/11/vindalho-de-galinha-chicken-vindaloo.html|title=Indian Classics - Vindalho de Galinha (Chicken Vindaloo)|website=www.thetiffinbox.ca|access-date=2018-11-27}}</ref> [[Xacuti]] and [[Sorpotel]] are cooked for major occasions among the Catholics. An exotic [[Goan]] vegetable stew, known as [[Khatkhate]], is a very popular dish during the celebrations of festivals, Hindu and Christian alike. Khatkhate contains at least five vegetables, fresh coconut, and special [[Goan]] spices that add to the aroma. A rich [[egg (food)|egg]]-based multi-layered sweet dish known as [[bebinca]] is a favourite at [[Christmas]]. <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/goa-government-readies-to-brand-feni-as-heritage-brew/16890188|title=Goa government readies to brand Feni as heritage brew|date=2016-01-23|work=Mid-Day|access-date=2018-11-27|language=en}}</ref> Cashew feni is made from the fermentation of the fruit of the cashew tree, while coconut [[Goan Feni|feni]] is made from the sap of toddy palms.

==Architecture==
{{Main|Architecture of Goan Catholics}}
[[File:Our-Lady-of-ImmaculateConception,Goa.JPG|thumb|[[Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Goa|Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church]] at [[Panaji|Panjim]].]]
The architecture of Goa shows a distinct [[Portugal|Portuguese]] influence. [[Fontainhas (quarter)|Fontainhas]] in Panaji has been declared a cultural quarter, showcasing the life, architecture and culture of Goa.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/travel/the-quiet-goa-fontainhas/article4105686.ece|title=The quiet Goa: Fontainhas|last=Datta|first=Sravasti|date=2012-11-18|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-11-27|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

The [[Churches and convents of Goa|Churches and Convents of Goa]] are a group of six churches that are a [[World Heritage site|UNESCO World Heritage site]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/234/|title=Churches and Convents of Goa|last=Centre|first=UNESCO World Heritage|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|access-date=2018-12-06}}</ref> The [[Basilica of Bom Jesus]] holds the mortal remains of [[St. Francis Xavier]], the [[patron saint]] of Goa.<ref>{{cite news
|URL=https://m.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/nation/casket-housing-st-xavier-relics-in-goa-to-undergo-restoration-687837
|title=Casket housing St Xavier relics in Goa to undergo restoration
|date=23 November 2018
|work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)]]}}</ref> Once every ten years, the body is taken down for veneration and for public viewing. The last such event was conducted in 2014.<ref>{{cite news
|URL=https://m.timesofindia.com/city/goa/Exposition-of-St-Francis-Xaviers-relics-ends-on-January-4/articleshow/45730692.cms
|title=Exposition of St. Francis Xavier's relics ends on January 4
|first=Paul
|last=Fernandes
|date=2 January 2015
|work=[[Times of India]]}}</ref>

Influences from other eras ([[Kadambas of Goa]], [[Maratha Empire]]) are visible in some of Goa's temples, notably the [[Mahadev Temple, Tambdi Surla|Mahadev Temple]]<ref>[http://www.goa-india-tourism.com/goa-temples/mahadevatemple.html Mahadev Temple, Tambdi Surla] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107105533/http://www.goa-india-tourism.com/goa-temples/mahadevatemple.html |date=2009-01-07 }}</ref> and [[Saptakoteshwar Temple]].<ref>{{cite book|
last1=Esteves|first1=Sarto |last2=de Sousa|first2=Vatsala
|title=This is Goa |year=1983
|pages=19}}</ref>

==Sports==
{{see also|Goans in sports}}
[[Association football|Football]] is the most popular sport in Goa,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://englishnews.thegoan.net/story.php?id=32509|title=Craze for football has doubled since ISL: Aaren|work=The Goan|access-date=2018-11-27}}</ref> followed by [[Field hockey|hockey]]. [[Cricket]], [[athletics (sport)|athletics]], [[chess]], [[human swimming|swimming]], [[table tennis]] and [[basketball]] are other popular sports in Goa. [[Fishing]] is also a popular recreational activity.

==Science==
{{see also|Goans in science and technology}}

==Arts==

===Music===
{{main|Music of Goa}}
[[Mando (music)|Mando]] and [[dulpod]] are traditional goan musical forms.

Goan [[Hindu]]s are very fond of [[Natak]], [[Bhajan]] and [[Kirtan]]. Many famous [[Indian classical music|Indian Classical]] singers hail from Goa, such as, [[Kishori Amonkar]], [[Kesarbai Kerkar]], [[Jitendra Abhisheki]], [[Prabhakar Karekar]].

Many Goans also perform [[Western classical music]]

===Dance===
Some traditional Goan dance forms are [[dekhnni]], [[fugdi]], [[corridinho]] and [[dashavatara]]. [[Ballroom dancing|Western social dancing]] is a part of most celebrations.

===Theatre===
Goans are very fond of theatre and acting. ''Kalo'' and ''dashavatar'' were popular art forms. Marathi Nataks have been very popular among Hindus in Goa for the past two centuries. [[Tiatr]] is the major Goan form of theatre common amongst Catholics and is the most commercial offering as it has entertained Goans not only in [[Goa]] but also in [[Mumbai]] and [[Pune]] (which are major cities of [[India]] and have a sizeable Goan population) and in the ''Gulf'' regions of [[UAE]], [[Kuwait]] and so on.

===Cinema===
{{see also|Konkani cinema}}

===Literature===
{{main|Goan literature}}

==Language==
Around two-thirds of Goans speak Konkani as their first language, while the remaining speak other languages, such as Marathi and Hindi as their primary language. However, practically all Goans can speak and understand Konkani. Konkani is an important part of the Goan identity that binds together all Goans.

==Tourism==
{{main|Tourism in Goa}}
Goa developed an international reputation in the 1960s as one of the prime stops on the legendary India-Nepal "[[hippie trail]]". In the mid-1960s, several Westerners, including "[[Eight Finger Eddie]]" walked over the hill to Calangute, and decided to create a community for Westerners. In the early years, Calangute and Baga were the center of this scene, but it grew over the years to include other nearby cities like Anjuna Beach, which became, and arguably still is, the center of the Western youth culture of Goa. By the mid-1980s, there were over 8000 Westerners living in Goa, mostly from Western Europe. The scene was marked by drug culture, trance music and free love. Goa remains today an international center of youth culture.

Starting in the late 1990s, Goa began to attract a more "upscale" audience, which in turn drove prices up, which in turn drove many in the "hippie" community to other less-expensive areas. Arambol—the beach community furthest away from "civilization", like electricity and running water—became the center of a battle between those wanting to turn Goa into a more traditional upscale resort area, and those wanting Goa to retain its traditional rustic counterculture appeal.

==See also==
* [[Goans in Hindi film music composition]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.india-seminar.com/2004/543/543%20pandurang%20r.%20phaldesai.htm Goan culture article]

{{Goa topics}}

[[Category:Culture of Goa| ]]

Culture of Goa - Revision history

Aoufa at 19:26, 28 February 2026

117.198.72.43: /* Language */