With
its sun, sand and sea, Goa has been the fore of wild jealousy since ancient
time. Portuguese, French, British, Dutch and many other invaded Goa in
succession. Some ventured to expedition, some ventured to trade and profit,
yet some ventured to the cause of service to mankind. Apart from these, Goa
is cited in other references in the epics - the Ramayana, the Mahabharata
and in the Purana.
Despite the several intervening years of different rules, Goa still
maintains its distinctively Portuguese flavour and easy going ways.
People of Goa
If you don't know, please note that people of Goa love to address
themselves as Goans, not by any other name. Goa's isolation from the rest of
India under the Portuguese rule, its geographical boundaries in the form of
the Sahyadri ranges and the rivers, have given the people of Goa a unique
and different identity. The people of Goa are very much conscious about
their identity, they love it and guard it furiously. Goans are happy go
people and known for living life to the fullest and nothing seems to
diminish their spirits. The people of Goa are also famous for their friendly
nature and if you are lucky enough, you might make some good friend during
your trip.
Goa's population comprises 65% Hindus, 30 % Christians and rest are Muslim
and other religions. The Hindu community is dominant in the talukas
(districts) of Sanguem, Ponda, Satari, Quepem Bicholim, Pernem and Canacona.
While the Chiristian population is dominant in the talukas of Mormugao,
Bardez, Salcete and Tiswadi.
Despite its mixed population Goa's
identity is far different from any of the religions. The people of Goa love
their land, and they consider themselves first as Goans and then Hindu,
Christians, Muslims and others. The presence of harmony in varied cultures
and religions of Goa, add on to the uniqueness of the state. You could find
the best evidence of the religious harmony in quite few places of worship in
Goa, where both Hindus and Christians go together. The Church of Our Lady of
Miracles in Mapusa, the Damodar temple at Sangeum and the Shantadurga temple
at Fatorpa are the places where you can see the unique religious harmony
existing in Goa.
Not only in the religious places, but you will also see the harmony between
the Goan during their fairs and festivals. With different religious and
cultural backgrounds, Goan celebrate each other's fairs and festivals with
equal enthusiasm.
Lifestyle of Goa
Goans are famous all over the world, for their unique lifestyle, which
reflects the perfect blending of different cultures that they witnessed over
the centuries. For more than 450 years, Goa was ruled by the Portuguese, who
left a great impact on the lifestyle of Goa. Even today when you will visit
Goa, you can experience that Portuguese charm.
By nature Goans are warm, easy going, big hearted and they live life in
style at a relaxed pace. Music and dance is in the blood of Goans since time
immemorial, even today they don't leave a single occasion to pull a string
or shake their legs. When it comes to food and drink, Goan like their
traditional dishes, exotic seafood and feni. Fairs and festivals are the
integral part of their life and they celebrate every festival with fun and
frolic. Nightlife and rave parties of Goa add more liveliness to life.
Goans wake up late and sleeps early, most shops open by 9.30 am and shut by
8 pm. Afternoon siesta is mandatory in Goa, so don't be surprised to find
shops closed between 1 pm to 4 pm. This trend is slowly changing, however,
it remains widely prevalent.
