People and Life Style of Goa
 The Goan people like to call themselves Goans. They do not prefer to call themselves Goanese. Goan people are very much conscious of this unique identification and their culture and tradition. The people of Goa are very much proud of being and calling Goans. They guard it fiercely. The people of Goa are warm & friendly. They are well-mannered and believe in making friends with almost everyone.
In the small state of Goa, there are various communities live together in perfect harmony. They live together with pleasure. The composition of population of Goa is as follow. Here are 65% Hindu and 30% Christian of all population of Goa. Rest of population is Muslims and other religions. The Hindu community lives predominantly in the districts of Bicholim, Satari, Ponda, Pernem, Quepem, Sanguem and Canacona. Actually these areas of Hindu community form part of the new conquests which is achieved by the Portuguese in the last stage of the expansion of their Goan Empire in the 18th century.
The state of Goa has been ruled by Portuguese for more than 450 years. Thus one can observe here influence of Portuguese in culture, cuisine, architecture and lifestyle of Goan people. Despite remaining under the rule of Portuguese for many years, the majority of the people in Goa are still Hindu.
The main characteristic of the Goan people is the element of unity. They live together in unity either they are of any community or caste. A unique blend of cultures, traditions and lifestyles can be seen here. There is no any word of religious fundamentalism in their dictionary. People of any community live together and celebrate their festivals with great zest and enthusiasm. The thinking of people of Goa is they are Goan first and a Hindu, Muslim or Christian later.
Almost people of Goa are fishermen by profession. Fishing is one of the main factors of the economy of Goa. Fishing activities are widely practiced by the local people of Goa. People of Goa also play an important role, directly or indirectly, in the promotion of tourism industry. Goan people either run shop or they gave off their houses for rent to the tourists. Some Goan people also run small shacks or eating joints by the beachside to provide mouth-watering Goan food for the tourists. When you will in go in Goa and meet some local Goan people, you will observe that really Goa is less than a state of India and more it is state of mind.
Goa – the land of sun, sand, surf and sea is a place that epitomizes the very keenness for life and living. This gorgeous land of Goa simple fascinates every visitor like no other place. Why tourists want to visit Goa? Why traveling in Goa never fails to captivate tourists? Why Goa is one of the most demanding spot among tourists domestic as well as foreigner? One of the main reasons of these arising questions is the very lifestyle of Goa.
Shopping in Goa
Goa is the land of Sun, Fun and Elation. Every year a large gathering of tourists come to Goa for sun, fun and elation. It will be incomplete Goa visit without spending some amount of your memorable moment during visit to Goa. For travelers to Goa, the visit is not complete unless they take back a souvenir of their memorable sojourn in this magnificent paradise. Obviously, along with sightseeing attractions, shopping should be a priority on the itinerary of every tourist.
Shopping in the beach capital of India – Goa is a remarkable experience to say the slightest. The typical beach destination of land of fun, sun and elation – Goa, India has an ancient tradition of excellent & fantastic handicrafts. Goa’s most popular memento artifacts include brassware, shell work, bamboo work, terracotta, crochet, old coins, trinkets made of stones and corals, carved furniture, artifacts made of papier- mâché, beachwear and hammocks etc. One can find these souvenir items in the Government Emporia. At popular tourist spots, these souvenir items are also available.
Handicrafts are not only in the list of traveler list but also a packet of famed cashew nuts or a bottle of Port wine is also on the list of every traveler to Goa. Generally, one can find and purchase these items like packer of Cashew nuts, Port wine, Feni everywhere in Goa, India. Feni is a popular wine in the state of Goa which is made cashew nuts. At popular tourist spots in Goa, India, there are some shops which are specialized in selling cashew nuts in various flavors like plain, salted and spicy.
In the land of fun, sun and elation – Goa, there are also many fascinating lifestyle and fashion shops. Recently, many Indian designers have established their boutiques in Goa which are the major attraction of foreigner tourists. These fashion shops and boutiques have a wide range of selections in traditional style and fashionable style. These fashion shops are also famous among tourists for fairly reasonable prices of their items.
It will be also an amazing experience to shop in some colourful beachside shops and stalls which are famous for purchasing shell and stone crafts, dried fish and spices. There are some traditional markets in the towns and villages of Goa, which reflect Goa’s exotic culture. Wednesday market at Anjuna and Friday market at Mapusa are two of the most famous and popular market in Goa where stalls sell everything like handicrafts, old coins, camera, beachwear, and fish and spices.
Come in the land of fun, sun and elation – Goa, India and enjoy the fascination of shopping in Goa. Happy shopping in Goa!
Art & Crafts
Goa is not only famous for palm fringed golden beaches and as a destination for fun, sun and elation, it is also well-known for its exotic art and crafts. It is the land of crafts and craftsmen where artistic excellence finds a natural growth. Goa is the land which boasts a prosperous and marvelous tradition of the classical arts. Over the year, the people of Goa are outstanding in music, poetry and the fine arts.
The art of Goa fancifully exemplifies the unity in diversity of Goan Heritage. Goa is a land which boasts a prosperous and marvelous tradition of the classical arts. Various art forms of various religious faiths and lifestyle flourishing together in right harmony. The art of Goa fancifully illustrates this unique identify. During Goa Tours one can find Hindu artists chiseling out images of Christian in towns and villages of Goa, India. The art of Goa which is developed around religious needs represents the quality of incorporation, internal faith and mutual acceptability among Goan people.
Goa is a proud place for those who love to see Christian arts. At Rachol Seminay in the district of Salcete there is a famous art museum which has the credit of being Asia’s first museum of Christian arts.
The arts and crafts are concerned together. Goa is also well-known for its exotic artifacts and handicrafts. Goa’s most popular memento artifacts include brassware, shell work, bamboo work, terracotta, crochet, old coins, trinkets made of stones and corals, carved furniture, artifacts made of papier- mâché, beachwear and hammocks etc. One can find these souvenir items in the Government Emporia. At popular tourist spots, these souvenir items are also available. These crafts of Goa are beautiful, alluring and fancy.
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 by winning critical acclaim of the connoisseurs of the art world. Click here for Art and Culture Tours in Goa
Goa Music
The tiny state of Goa, India is well-known for richness in culture & heritage, and arts – especially performing art. The state of Goa is considered as a nest of singing birds. Music is mixed in the air of Goa. Music is a part of life in Goa. The gorgeous land of Goa has produced many outstanding musicians and singers for the world of Indian music and also for the Indian film industry – Bollywood.
Since Goa has been under the rule of Portuguese for many years, influence of western classical music can be observed in the music of Goa. As it is mentioned above that the land of Goa has produce a number of outstanding performers of Indian Classical Music like renowned singer Surashri Kesarbai Kerkar, legendry Lata Mangeshkar – the most prominent singer in the history of the Hindustani Film Industry (Bollywood) is the daughter of a Goan, Dinanath Ganesh Mangeshkar. Asha Bhosle, the sister of Lata Mangeshkar is also a very famous singer in Indian Film Industry.
Apart from Indian classical music, there are some famous pop stars in the area of Western music. Remo Fernandes is a famous pop singer. He has also sung for Bollywood. The popular music of Goa is usually sung in Konkani language. These days a special type of music called Trance has been popular. Traditional music and songs also have their existence in right concord with modern music. Some of traditional songs and music of Goa are Mando – the love song, Suvari – the folk music, Pavada, Lavni, Banvad, Gadya Ramayan, Dasra Vadan, Cantaram, Gaun Kani, Gosavi Gayan, Gudulya Geetam, Jat, Lagan Geet, and devotional music like Bhajan-Dindi, Carol Singing, Kirtan and Ladainha.
Goan Food
Are you going for visiting the gorgeous land of Goa? Don’t miss to taste the mouth-watering Goan Food. Apart from sun, fun and elation Goa is also famous for its delicious and mouth-watering food which are synonymous with Goan Food.
In Goa, one can find every type of food and of course food of every region. Italian, Thai, Chinese, South Indian, Gujarati, Punjabi, Mexican, Portuguese, European, Korean and of course Goan, there are every kinds of foods are available here. Apart from these kinds of food, what a tourist ask for their taste and appetite. Just demand it and the Goan restaurants are ready to serve it.
The land of fun, sun and elation Goa is also famous for its delicious and mouth-watering food. Mouth-watering foods are synonymous with Goan Food. The Goan food is one of the most evolved foods in the country of India. Generally Goa is famous for its seafood. Fish, mussels, prawns, crabs, oysters and lobster dishes are very popular among Goans. Fish, curry and rice are the basic necessities of Goans. Goans are also very fond of Feni – a popular wine in the state of Goa which is made of cashew nuts or coconut.
There are plenty of eating joints and restaurants in Goa which provide delicious and mouth-watering food. Goan cuisine is influenced by various cultures that came into contact with. The cuisine of Goa is separated by two different traditions – Hinduism and Christianity.
Some of famous Goan Foods are following:
Sea Food: Fried Fish, Crab xec, Dry Prawn Kismur and Kalputi.
Vegetarian: Khatkhatem – a gravy dish, Mushroom Tondak – a gravy dish, Sushelle – Chutney, and Karathiacho Kuaval – chutney.
Non Vegetarian: Beef Rolls and Chicken Cafreal.
Sweets & Deserts: Christmas cake, Dhonos and Dodol.
Portuguese: Sopa de Camarao (Prawn soup), Fish Caldinha, Fish Recheiado and Fish Caldeirada.
Goa Fairs & Festivals
When some one talk about Goa, the first thing comes in our mind is sun, fun and elation. The land of sun and sand Goa’ atmosphere is filled with fun and elation. Like Rajasthan, Goa is also called the land of fairs and festivals. Except rainy season, all the other months of the year are endowed with full of fun and elation that is fairs and festivals.
Some of Hindu festivals which are celebrated in Goa with great zest and enthusiasm are Gokulashtami, Holi, Diwali, Chvoth, Nagpanchami, Lairai Jatra, Gudi Padwa, Raksha Bandhan, Vascl Saptah and Ram Navmi.
Some of Christian festivals which can be enjoyed during Goa tours are Good Friday, Christmas, Procession of Saints, Margao Feast, Konsachem Fest, Sao Jaoa, Feast of St Peter Paul and Touxeachem Fest.
Annual Mando festival and fontainhas festival of arts are also celebrated in Goa with great zest and enthusiasm. Apart from these festivals, there is a other festival named Goa Carnival that is celebrated in Goa with great zeal and zest beyond any religious obstacles. Goa Carnival is the most noteworthy event in Goa. Goa Carnival is three days non-stop festival which is full of music, dance, feast, fun and elation.
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