India > Goa > Goan and Their Lifestyle

People of Goa and their Lifestyle

The people of Goa prefer to call themselves Goan. As per census report 2011 of India approximately 1,457,723 people reside in Goa. Among them about 66% of populations are belong to Hinduism, 26.5% Christians, 6.9% Muslims, and the rest are Buddhist and Sikh with a low percentage. The Hindu community is dominant at Ponda, Bicholim, Pernem, Satari, Sanguem, Quepem and Canacona. Salcete, Mormugao, Tiswadi and Bardez are dominated by Christians communities.

But the interesting fact is that the religious identity does nothing to change the warm, friendly and loving nature of the Goan people. By and large, people in Goa considers himself a Goan first and a Hindu, Christian or Muslim afterward. Goans have developed a remarkable degree of tolerance towards each other's religious beliefs, and hence religious fundamentalism is completely unknown in the state.

People of the state mainly use Konkani as their main dialect. Near about 60.1% of population speaks this language. Some other major spoken languages of Goa are Marathi 24.9% (approx), Kannada 11% and some small linguistic groups. Konkani is accepted as the official language of the state and English language is also used few regions.

Professions and Cultures of Goan

The people of Goa, mainly survive with the population of fishing. Now, Tourism is another important source of income by the Goans. Hotels, restaurants, lodge, and house renting is very popular and common business by Goans. There have about 87% of populations are Literate which make rank third respect to Indian other states and some higher educated persons do a respectable job in government sectors or in several private industry. Several industries worker jobs are also available here like the industry of minerals & ores and mining forms the second largest industry in India.

The people of Goa are warm, friendly, large-hearted and extremely happy with their cultures and traditions. They are fond of the good things in life and are certainly not caught up in the rat race. Siesta is an important part of life in Goa with shops downing their shutters from one to four the most Goans retiring for the afternoon. They are passionate about dance, music and art which are in their blood and they love their food and feni.

Temples or Churches are focused by the Deep Stambh (tower of light) during the festival seasons of Goa. Ghode Modni is a special folk dance by Goans performed in festivals time. Major celebrated festivals of the state are the Goan Carnival, Holi, Chavoth, and first New Year, Diwali, Christmas, Easter, Shigmo, Samvatsar Padvo, Dasara and many local fairs. Among these festivals Goan Carnival and first New Year is the most popular festival in Goa.

Foods in Goa

The cuisine of Goa has an interesting mix of influences from all the cultures that it came into contact with. There are two separate traditions in cuisine influenced by the respective religions of Hinduism and Christianity.

Rice with fish is the main diet in Goa. Goan cuisine is famous for its rich variety of fish dishes cooked with elaborate recipes. Coconut and coconut oil are widely used in Goan cooking along with chili peppers, spices and vinegar giving the food a unique flavor. Pork dishes such as Vindaloo, Xacuti and Sorpotel are cooked for major occasions among the Goan Catholics. An exotic Goan vegetable stew, known as Khatkhate, is a very popular dish during the celebrations of festivals, Hindu and Christian alike.

Infatuated with seafood, the Goans find truly world-class prawns, lobsters, crabs, and jumbo pomfrets along the coastline and use them to make a variety of soups, salads, pickles, curries, and fries. An essential ingredient in Goan cooking is coconut milk made by grating the white flesh of a coconut and soaking it in a cup of warm water. Equally important is the ‘kokum’, a sour, deep red colored fruit that gives it a sharp and sour flavor.